Key Takeaways
- The number of suspects charged for strangulation and suffocation in England and Wales has increased almost sixfold since the offence was introduced in 2022.
- The Domestic Abuse Act has given courts greater sentencing powers, with a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment for suffocation and strangulation.
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has seen a significant rise in charges, from 1,483 in 2022-23 to 8,545 in 2024-25.
- Prosecutors are being trained to recognize "layers of abuse" and the CPS has invested in trauma training for prosecutors.
- The government is committed to halving violence against women and girls, and prosecutors play a vital role in taking down perpetrators of strangulation.
Introduction to Strangulation and Suffocation Law
The number of suspects charged for strangulation and suffocation in England and Wales has increased significantly since the offence was first introduced in 2022. According to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) data, the number of charges has risen from 1,483 in 2022-23 to 8,545 in 2024-25. This increase is likely due to prosecutors making greater use of the legislation, as well as more victims coming forward to report crimes. The Domestic Abuse Act, which came into force in 2022, closed a gap in the existing law, giving courts much greater sentencing powers.
The Impact of the Domestic Abuse Act
The Domestic Abuse Act has marked a significant shift in recognizing the serious nature of strangulation and suffocation. Previously, prosecutors were having to charge offenders with common assault, which carries a much lesser maximum sentence of six months. The new legislation has given prosecutors the tools they need to charge offenders with a more serious offence, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Kate Brown, the CPS’s lead prosecutor for domestic abuse, said that the new legislation has enabled prosecutors to charge more offenders and has given victims a greater sense of justice.
Prosecution of Strangulation and Suffocation
The CPS has seen a significant rise in charges for strangulation and suffocation, with 2,656 charges recorded in the first quarter of 2025-26 alone. This indicates that the number of charges is likely to rise again next year. The increase in charges is not limited to one region, with London seeing a 550% rise in charges, from 140 in 2022-23 to 919 in 2024-25. The north-west of England and Yorkshire and Humberside have also seen significant rises in charges. The CPS is training prosecutors to recognize the layers of abuse that often accompany strangulation and suffocation, and has invested heavily in trauma training for prosecutors.
The Importance of Reporting Strangulation and Suffocation
Strangulation and suffocation are often charged alongside other offences, such as coercive control, sexual offences, or image-based abuse. The CPS is encouraging victims to report these crimes, even if they do not show any signs of physical injury. Brown said that consent is not a defence for strangulation and suffocation, and that there is no safe way to suffocate. She also said that the CPS would look to prosecute where the evidence is there, and that they are not deterred by the lack of injury. The solicitor general, Ellie Reeves, said that strangulations are rarely isolated incidents, and that victims are often subjected to sustained physical and psychological abuse.
The Government’s Commitment to Halving Violence Against Women and Girls
The government is committed to halving violence against women and girls, and to ensuring that every woman and girl feels safe. The solicitor general, Ellie Reeves, said that prosecutors play a vital role in taking down perpetrators of strangulation, and that she will be relentless in her role in supporting victims of these heinous crimes. Brown said that strangulation is a trigger offence to even more violence, and that it is a complete exploitation of power. She also said that it is really important that offences are reported, and that prosecutors will go below just that offence, and see and understand what’s been happening, so that offenders can be brought to justice for the extent of their criminal behaviour.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of suspects charged for strangulation and suffocation in England and Wales has increased significantly since the offence was introduced in 2022. The Domestic Abuse Act has given courts greater sentencing powers, and the CPS is training prosecutors to recognize the layers of abuse that often accompany these crimes. The government is committed to halving violence against women and girls, and prosecutors play a vital role in taking down perpetrators of strangulation. It is really important that victims report these crimes, even if they do not show any signs of physical injury, and that prosecutors look to prosecute where the evidence is there.