Governor Signs into Law Strangulation Bill
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws to a close, Gov. Tom Wolf has signed into law legislation that will give prosecutors additional tools to protect victims of domestic violence by criminalizing cases of non-fatal strangulation. The new law makes strangulation a form of criminal assault
Non-fatal strangulation is a tactic that abusers use to terrorize their victims, often as a control method in an abusive relationship. Strangulation also dramatically increases the likelihood of lethality in domestic violence situations. Yet, until now, prosecutors lacked the ability to effectively criminalize the act against abusers and provided added protection to victims.
“Strangulation is an important form of physical violence against women who are in abusive relationships, and the act by an intimate partner is a risk factor for major assault or even homicide,” said Peg J. Dierkers, executive director of PCADV, which marks its 40th anniversary in November.
“We know that strangulation is a relatively prevalent form of violence toward women who experience physical violence in an abusive relationship,” Dierkers said. “This law enables prosecutors to step in and take decisive action as a way to protect these victims and bring some measure of justice to their abusers.”
Non-fatal strangulation, as opposed to other severe forms of physical violence such as striking with fists or another object, frequently leaves little in the way of observable injury, yet can result in serious physical and mental health consequences. The increased attention generated by this new law will assist the training of law enforcement as well.
Act 111 of 2016 elevates intentional strangulation to a felony. It was introduced as House Bill 1581 by Rep. Becky Corbin, R-Chester. The House passed the measure, 184-3, in April. The Senate adopted the bill unanimously earlier this month.
“All of us at PCADV are thankful for Representative Corbin’s leadership on this issue,” Dierkers said. “This is a measure that received overwhelming bipartisan support --- and it’s one that truly will save lives in Pennsylvania.”
With the governor’s signature, Pennsylvania now joins 37 states and a U.S. territory with laws that define strangulation.
Domestic violence affects one in four women, one in seven men and more than 90,000 Pennsylvanians annually.
Since 1976, PCADV has been a community lifeline for domestic violence victims and their families, providing shelter, legal assistance, counseling and children’s services to more than 2.8 million people. PCADV has grown from nine community-based domestic violence programs in 1976 to 60 centers today serving all 67 counties assisting 90,000 victims per year, helping them find safety, obtain justice and build new lives free of abuse.
For more information, visit www.PCADV.org or www.pasaysnomore.com.