There have been nearly 900 reported stranglings in Hampshire since 2022, new data has revealed.

As county health bosses looked into domestic abuse, they said it counts as “any single incident or a course of conduct of physical or sexual abuse, violence or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, psychological, emotional or other abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been personally connected”.

Although domestic abuse can affect anyone, it is recognised as a gendered crime because most victims and survivors are women.

At the health and wellbeing board this week, it was revealed that 57,000 people are subjected to domestic abuse in Hampshire each year – and there have been nearly 900 non-fatal stranglings.

Despite domestic abuse can happen to anyone, and Hampshire figures showed that 40,000 were women and 17,000 were men.

Children living in an abusive environment are also victims of their perpetrators. According to the data, 43,000 children in Hampshire have been exposed to abuse during their childhood.

It can affect people in multiple ways. Still, there are links between domestic abuse and poor mental health, suicide, physical injuries, sexual health and use of drugs and alcohol.

New forms of abuse have appeared in the last few years. This is the case of non-fatal strangulation, a crime where abusers strangle their partners in an attempt to control or induce fear.

It comes as an offence in the UK in July 2022. Data collected by the Hampshire Domestic Partnership between July 2022 and September 2024 showed 892 non-fatal strangulation cases reported in Hampshire.

Jess Hutchinson, director of adult health care, pointed out that many older adults also suffer from this “hidden crime. “It’s often not recognised and misperceived. It features 15 per cent of safeguarding concerns, and it’s important to raise the issue”.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and are looking for a place to seek support, visit Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership’s website, or you can call the helpline on 03300 165 112. If you want to get in touch with the police regarding domestic violence, click here.