Prosecutions for non-fatal strangulation and suffocation in England and Wales have skyrocketed, increasing almost sixfold in the three years since the specific offence was introduced, according to new Crown Prosecution Service data.
A 'Significant Shift' in Tackling Domestic Violence
The legislation, brought in under the Domestic Abuse Act of 2022, closed a critical gap in the law. Previously, many such acts were charged as common assault, carrying a maximum sentence of just six months. Now, suffocation and strangulation carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
Kate Brown, the CPS’s lead prosecutor for domestic abuse, stated the new law marked "a significant shift in recognising the serious nature of the offence". She explained that prior options for prosecutors "didn't really hit the mark in terms of the seriousness".
"What we know from victims is it can be absolutely terrifying that they genuinely believe that at the time they're being strangled, this is it, that they may die," Brown said.
Dramatic Rise in Charges and Regional Data
The CPS figures show a dramatic escalation in charges. They rose from 1,483 in the 2022–23 period to 8,545 in 2024–25. In just the first quarter of 2025–26, a further 2,656 charges were recorded, indicating numbers are likely to climb again.
The increase was particularly sharp in several regions:
- In London, charges rose by over 550%, from 140 to 919.
- In north-west England, numbers jumped from 238 to 1,104.
- In Yorkshire and Humberside, 989 people were charged, compared with 179 three years ago.
Brown attributed the rise to prosecutors making greater use of the new legislation and more victims feeling empowered to report these crimes.
High-Harm Offence and Wider Context of Abuse
The CPS emphasises that strangulation is a high-harm, high-risk offence frequently linked to domestic abuse and sexual assault. In about 90% of cases, it occurs within a domestic abuse context, often alongside other crimes like coercive control or sexual offences.
"Strangulations are rarely isolated incidents," said the solicitor general, Ellie Reeves. "Victims are often subjected to sustained physical and psychological abuse, causing long-lasting harm and destroying lives."
Brown highlighted the grave danger, noting: "The really significant thing about strangulation is it is a trigger offence to even more violence... It could ultimately lead to a murder."
The CPS is training prosecutors to recognise these "layers of abuse" and has invested in trauma-informed training. Importantly, they stress that a lack of visible injury does not deter prosecution. Consent is also not a legal defence for strangulation or suffocation.
Recent cases demonstrate the law in action. In September, Michael Cosgrove from Greater Manchester was jailed for 20 years for attempted murder and intentional strangulation. In a separate case, Sean Duffin was sentenced to 12 years for rape, sexual assault, and strangulation.
The government has committed to halving violence against women and girls, with prosecutors playing a vital role. As Brown concluded, it is "really important" that offences are reported so "offenders can be brought to justice for the extent of their criminal behaviour".
