Departmental Papers (SPP)
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
10-18-2012
Abstract
Strangulation is a unique and particularly pernicious form of intimate partner violence. To increase the relatively little that is known about strangulation survivors, focus groups and interviews were conducted as part of a practice–research engagement with a domestic violence shelter. All of the participants had been strangled and, among them, almost all were strangled multiple times. The loss of consciousness was common. Participants associated “choking” with use of body parts and “strangling” with use of objects. Although some minimized the assault, most considered strangulation to be serious and reported a variety of medical conditions following the assault. Few sought medical care. Of those who did, few disclosed the assault, or were asked about strangulation, which commonly resulted in misdirected treatment. Implications for improving detection and treatment are discussed.
Keywords
women, strangulation, choking, intimate partner violence, health, practice-research engagement
Recommended Citation
Joshi, M., Thomas, K. A., & Sorenson, S. B. (2012). “I Didn't Know I Could Turn Colors”: Health Problems and Health Care Experiences of Women Strangled by an Intimate Partner. Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/spp_papers/171
Included in
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Social Work Commons
Date Posted: 05 August 2014
This document has been peer reviewed.
Comments
Joshi, M., Thomas, K. A., & Sorenson, S. B. (2012). "I didn't know I could turn colors": Health problems and health care experiences of women strangled by an intimate partner. Social Work in Health Care, 51(9), 798-814. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2012.692352