Victims advocates report increase in strangulation cases

HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. — Victim advocates at the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center are reporting a significant increase in strangulation cases.

Victim advocate Teresa Richmond explained there is a huge difference between choking and strangulation. She said many people don't know the difference because of the glamorization in pornographic content.

"Last year, every single hospital call that I went on, personally, involved strangulation,” Richmond said. “The year before that, I don’t think I had any.

"I think a lot of people are minimizing it because this seems to be a fad that people look at. They think it’s a form of rough sex, but you cannot consent to strangulation. It would be like consenting to murder."

It can only take seconds to cause unconsciousness and just minutes to cause brain injury or death. Oftentimes, victims have no visible bruising or marks.

HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. — Victim advocates at the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center are reporting a significant increase in strangulation cases.

Victim advocate Teresa Richmond explained there is a huge difference between choking and strangulation. She said many people don't know the difference because of the glamorization in pornographic content.

"Last year, every single hospital call that I went on, personally, involved strangulation,” Richmond said. “The year before that, I don’t think I had any.

"I think a lot of people are minimizing it because this seems to be a fad that people look at. They think it’s a form of rough sex, but you cannot consent to strangulation. It would be like consenting to murder."

It can only take seconds to cause unconsciousness and just minutes to cause brain injury or death. Oftentimes, victims have no visible bruising or marks.