Attorney General releases toolkit dealing with strangulation

This week, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman released the Commonwealth's first-ever toolkit to combat the horrific crime of strangulation. 

The manual: "Responding to Strangulation in Kentucky: Guidelines for Prosecutors, Law Enforcement, Health Care Providers and Victim Advocates" is one of the first of its kind across the country.

In 2019, the Kentucky General Assembly passed the Commonwealth's first statute on strangulation, making it a serious felony. According to the manual, strangulation is one of the most accurate predictors for the subsequent homicide of victims of domestic violence. It's also one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence.

The majority of all police officers killed in the line of duty are killed by men who have strangled women, according to The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention.

The manual identifies the signs of strangulation for medical professionals and law enforcement. It also shares strategies to effectively prosecute cases under Kentucky law and how advocates should engage with victims who suffered this specific crime.

If you have been a victim of a crime, contact the Attorney General's Victim Resource and Referral Line at (800) 372-2551.