Click the sections below to expand the answers.
Non-fatal strangulation (NFS) is when a person’s neck is squeezed, compressed or restricted, making it difficult to breathe or reducing blood flow to the brain. This can happen using hands, arms, clothing, cords, or other objects.
Even if the person does not lose consciousness and survives the attack, it is a serious assault that can cause significant injury.
Non-fatal strangulation is commonly referred to as ‘choking’. While the terminology of NFS can differ, the impact is the same.
If you have experienced NFS, you should always seek medical help, even if you have no symptoms.
A person can suffer serious internal injuries even when there are no visible marks on their neck. Strangulation can cause:
- Difficulty breathing
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Changes in speech or voice
- Problems swallowing
- Brain injury
- Damage to blood vessels and arteries
- Risk of the formation of blood clots
- Stroke
- Loss of consciousness
- Delayed medical complications
Some symptoms may not appear until hours or days later.
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hoarse or changed voice
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or memory problems
- Blurred vision
- Redness, bruising, or scratches around the neck
- Bloodshot eyes or tiny red spots on the face or eyelids
It is important to remember that people who have been subjected to NFS might have no visible injuries.
Non-fatal strangulation might also be referred to in different ways. This could include, but is not limited to:
- Choking
- Breath play
- Strangled
- Suffocation
If you have been subjected to non-fatal strangulation, you should always seek medical help. This is especially important if you:
- Lost consciousness, even briefly
- Have trouble breathing or swallowing
- Feel confused or disoriented
- Have weakness, numbness, or changes in vision
- Notice swelling in your neck or throat
Contact your GP, or if they are closed, call NHS 111.
Yes. Non-fatal strangulation is often used to frighten, control, and intimidate someone. It is recognised as a serious indicator of future harm and increased risk in abusive relationships.
However, it is important to remember that non-fatal strangulation can occur in different incidents that are not related to domestic abuse.
Non-fatal strangulation, often called choking, has been wrongly normalised, promoted and encouraged through online pornography. Strangulation is never safe or risk-free, even if it is carried out consensually during sex. There is no safe way to be strangled or choked.
Non-fatal strangulation can also occur in assault and attempted murder incidents.
- Get medical help as soon as possible.
- Tell a healthcare professional exactly what happened.
- If safe to do so, take photographs of any injuries.
- Keep a note of any symptoms
- Report the incident to the police, if it is safe and you wish to do so.
- Contact a support service, such as Victim Support Scotland, for advice and help.
In Scotland, non-fatal strangulation is not a standalone offence and currently can only be prosecuted under existing criminal offences.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be prosecuted as:
- Common law assault (the most common charge)
- Aggravated assault, where the behaviour is particularly serious or life-endangering
- Attempted murder, if there is evidence of intent to kill
- Culpable and reckless conduct
- An offence under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, where the strangulation forms part of a course of coercive or abusive behaviour by a partner or ex-partner.
- Statutory offences under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, where the offence of sexual assault may be used.
The Scottish Government has recognised concerns that NFS is a particularly dangerous form of abuse and has conducted a consultation on whether further legislation is required to prosecute it as an offence.
In 2025/26, the Scottish Government committed to a comprehensive review of the law to determine whether a specific offence should be introduced for NFS.
There is also an active parliamentary petition, to make non-fatal strangulation a standalone offence, which remains under consideration.
The above information is correct as of October 2026. This page will be updated if any further legal changes take place.
If you have been impacted by any type of crime, including NFS, Victim Support Scotland is here for you.
Our support is free, independent and confidential, and you don’t need to report the crime to police to receive our support. We can provide emotional support, practical advice, and financial support, through our Emergency Assistance Fund, if you are eligible.
You can request support by filling out a form on our website, calling our helpline or messaging out webchat:
- Fill out a form: Request Support | Victim Support Scotland
- Helpline: 0800 160 1985 (Monday – Friday: 8am – 8pm / Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 4pm)