23^rd June 2025

MEDIA STATEMENT

Urgent Action Needed to Raise Awareness of Non-Fatal Strangulation as a Criminal Offence

Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) is calling for urgent action to raise awareness about non-fatal strangulation, following alarming findings from its national helpline. Numerous women supported by the helpline disclosed experiences of non-fatal strangulation, yet the vast majority were unaware that it is a criminal offence—despite the law changing three years ago.

This lack of awareness is particularly concerning within minority ethnic communities, where it is likely that many perpetrators are also unaware that non-fatal strangulation is a serious criminal offence. Given that non-fatal strangulation is a strong predictor of future homicide and is one of the leading methods used in domestic killings, this gap in knowledge poses a direct and serious risk to life.

Equally concerning are the persistently low conviction rates for non-fatal strangulation across the country. We are particularly alarmed by the likelihood that conviction rates are even lower—or virtually non-existent—when victims are from minority ethnic backgrounds. This is especially troubling given that minority ethnic women already face disproportionately higher rates of domestic homicide.

MWNUK CEO, Baroness Shaista Gohir said: “The government must therefore prioritise and fund targeted awareness-raising initiatives focused on non-fatal strangulation. These campaigns should clearly explain the law, highlight the life-threatening risks, and emphasise the importance of reporting—while being culturally sensitive and tailored specifically for minority ethnic communities. Such targeted interventions are not only necessary—they have the potential to save lives.”

MWNUK has observed a rise in cases where strangulation has been a factor. While strangulation is often a common feature in domestic abuse, we are now recording it more accurately and consistently. Annually we support around 1400 women on a range of issues and we found that:

· In 2023, of the 523 domestic abuse victims, 17 (3%) reported strangulation

· In 2024, of the 553 domestic abuse victims, 29 (5%) reported strangulation

· During the first five months of 2025, of the 269 domestic abuse victims, 23 (9%) have already reported strangulation

We encountered cases where victims were pregnant or had newborn babies. Sometimes the incidents took place in front of children. There was also a reluctance to report the abuse to police, and when victim did, strangulation was often not recognised nor charged as a separate offence. Instead, protection orders—such as non-molestation orders—were typically issued in response to broader domestic abuse.

Perpetrators were most often intimate partners, but in some cases, they were brothers or fathers. A few anonymised examples from our helpline include:

• A Muslim Arab woman was strangled and raped by her husband, then dragged from the house by her hair and left outside in her underwear.
• A Muslim Pakistani woman was strangled and hit with an iron in front of her children.
• A Muslim woman was strangled while pregnant and told by her husband that she was carrying “Satan” because she was expecting a girl.
• A Black Muslim woman described feeling paralysed and collapsing after being strangled.
• A Somali Muslim woman in her 30s reported being choked by her brother, who also held a knife to her throat.
• A young Muslim woman shared that her father pushed her onto a bed and strangled her.

These stories illustrate the severity and complexity of the abuse that many minority ethnic women face. Urgent, targeted action is needed to raise awareness, improve identification, and ensure justice is served.

Victims of domestic abuse can contact Muslim Women’s Network Helpline on 0800 999 5786 / info@mwnhelpline.co.uk or via the Amal Safety Mobile iPhone App

Additional Information

· Media enquiries can be directed to: contact@mwnuk.co.uk or 0121 2369000

· Muslim Women’s Network UK is a national charity: https://www.mwnuk.co.uk

· Muslim Women’s Network Helpline: https://www.mwnuk.co.uk