Frequency and relationship of reported symptomology in victims of intimatepartner violence: The effect of multiple strangulation attacks

The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between the numbe r of times a victim of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been strangled a nd symptom development subsequent to the attacks. One hundred and one femal e subjects responded to a series of questions regarding the history and cha racteristics of the strangulation and the development of specific medical s ymptoms. Multiple strangulation victims, individuals who had experienced mo re than one strangulation attack, on separate occasions, by the same abuser , reported neck and throat injuries, neurologic disorders, and psychologica l disorders with increased frequency. Despite the increased frequency of sy mptoms, only 39% of the multiple strangulation victims sought medical care. These observations strongly support the need for health care professionals to inquire about the incidence of strangulation, examine the victim closel y for evidence of injuries caused by the attacks, and recommend immediate c are in anticipation of the potentially long term medical needs. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Inc.