Statistics and information from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence:
Over 40 percent of domestic violence victims served by Georgia’s state-certified domestic violence programs have been strangled, according to a recent survey.
It takes as little as four pounds of pressure for as little as 10 seconds to cause permanent brain damage and loss of consciousness; death can occur within minutes using such force.
Even a single strangulation assault can cause short and long-term physical and mental health consequences for victims.
Beyond the physical injuries, strangulation has a profound emotional impact, often reinforcing abusers’ control over victims by demonstrating their ability to kill.
Victims of prior attempted strangulation are eight times more likely to be killed by the same abuser.
22 percent of the 93 domestic violence fatality cases review by Georgia’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Project had a history of strangulation assault.
Strangulation assault is a recognized risk factor for subsequent intimate partner homicide, whether by a repeat strangulation assault, or by some other violent act such as stabbing or gunshot.
Under previous law, charges often were not brought for strangulation assault. In cases where they were, they were typically for a misdemeanor offense.
HB 911 adds the following language to OCGA 16-5-21: “A person commits the offense of aggravated assault when he or she assaults with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in strangulation.”
Defining strangulation under Georgia’s aggravated assault statue does not create a new crime. It provides clear elements for an existing offense that involves danger and potentially lethal force..
Prior to Georgia, 37 states had enacted legislation codifying strangulation assault as a felony offense, including Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.
Georgia has a 24-hour domestic violence hotline for victims at 1-800-334-2836. Advocates at Georgia’s 46 state-certified domestic violence programs are available to help victims plan for their safety and learn about community services.
