Frequency and relationship of reported symptomology in victims of intimate partner violence: the effect of multiple strangulation attacks.

The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between the number of times a victim of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been strangled and symptom development subsequent to the attacks. One hundred and one female subjects responded to a series of questions regarding the history and characteristics of the strangulation and the development of specific medical symptoms. Multiple strangulation victims, individuals who had experienced more than one strangulation attack, on separate occasions, by the same abuser, reported neck and throat injuries, neurologic disorders, and psychological disorders with increased frequency. Despite the increased frequency of symptoms, 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 closely for evidence of injuries caused by the attacks, and recommend immediate care in anticipation of the potentially long term medical needs.