Prior to this strangulation and suffocation did not have the focus required given the dangers of the offence and tended either to be not charged at all or charged as a generic offence such as common assault, or sometimes actual bodily harm.

By recognising strangulation as a stand alone offence highlights the severity of strangulation and the deep impact on the victim/ survivor.

The message is clear. There is no safe way to strangle.

The Institute aims to raise awareness of strangulation and the associated risks, conduct research, develop resources, and to train professionals in responding to and supporting victims/survivors of these assaults. IFAS works in partnership with SafeLives and Bangor University.

The Institute will lead on guiding professionals through the best practice in supporting victims/ survivors of strangulation through a medical and forensic lens.

Funded by the Home Office, The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) sits within the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM).

The FFLM is a registered charity set up to develop and maintain the highest possible standards of competence and professional integrity in forensic and legal medicine.