• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alliance for Hope International

(0)Login
Login

Escape

Social iconSocial iconSocial icon

    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Board
      • HOPE Rising Award
      • Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Join Our Mailing List
      • Annual Reports
      • Conference Hope Survey Reports
    • Our History
    • Training
      • Conferences and Events
      • HOPE Hub
      • Privacy Policy
      • Online Resource Library
    • Programs
    • News and Media
    • Shop Now
    • Donate
      • Check us out on Guidestar
      • Supporters
      • Conference Supporters
    • Contact Us

    • Blog
    • News & Media
    • HOPE Hub
    • CFJCN
    • SHOP Now
    • Donate
    • AFHI

    Domestic Strangulation Cases In OKC, Highlight Hidden Problem

    June 13, 2018

    By: Jessi Mitchell
    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Two separate, violent domestic abuse cases reported in Oklahoma City this week are highlighting an often-unseen, yet prevalent crime across our state. Strangulation can easily lead to death, but some are working to change the statistics.
    Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center, reports that 70% of the domestic violence victims it serves have been strangled by their intimate partner. The organization’s leaders say simply reporting these crimes when they happen is a step in the right direction.
    Since opening last year, Palomar has spent time educating victims, officers, prosecutors, doctors and nurses on the dangers of strangulation.
    CEO Kim Garrett says the crime would often go unreported in the past because the wounds are often invisible.
    “Sometimes when officers arrive on scene, it’ll be the offender who actually has the injury,” she said,” because if you’re fighting for your life, what are you going to do? You’ll do anything.”
    Garrett said the internal injuries suffered can lead to blood clots, voice loss and even deadly strokes, though. Plus, a domestic strangling victim is 750-times more likely to be murdered by their partner later.
    “David Prater, the DA, says it’s actually an appetizer for homicide,” said Garrett.
    Experts say it only takes four pounds of pressure in the right place to kill someone.
    Opening an aluminum can with one finger uses around 20 pounds of pressure.
    In one of this week’s cases, the victim was lying down with her twin 2-year-olds when their father attacked her. Despite being punched repeatedly and choked until she saw stars, she did not want to press charges.
    In the other case, the victim’s 8-year-old was in the home as her partner beat her until she lost consciousness. When she woke up, he was still punching her in the face.
    Garrett said these incidents have a major long-term impact on the children as well.
    “You’ll see issues with substance abuse, mental health issues, suicidal ideation or completion,” she said. “There’s direct correlations to trauma exposure.”
    Garrett believes our community is slowly changing for the better, though, with more victims reporting the crimes and prosecutors pushing for stricter punishment for suspects.
    If you need help escaping an abusive relationship, connect to resources by clicking here.
    You can also call the 24-hour Safeline at 1-800-522-SAFE (7233).
    Article Source: Domestic Strangulation Cases In OKC, Highlight Hidden Problem

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Top Articles

    • Strangulation in sex can increase risk of stroke and brain injuries, distressing study finds
    • read more »
    • Strangled Victims Need Imaging
    • read more »
    • What Parents Need to Know About the Choking Game
    • read more »
    • Choking someone is often prelude to future homicide
    • read more »
    • Strangulation and Domestic Violence Murders
    • read more »

    Join Us Now & stay informed

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    our programs

    Nfjca Logo 2018 1
    Trainingiinstitute
    Cha Logo V12.28.18 2
    Justice
    Voices

    Logo Footer 501 W. Broadway, Ste A #625, San Diego, CA 92101 (888) 511-3522 | 1110 Hemphill St. Fort Worth, TX 76104
    © 2022 Alliance for HOPE International. All Rights Reserved. Design by TinyFrog Technologies.

    Login

    Lost Your Password?
    Register
    Don't have an account? Register one!
    Register an Account

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.