Awareness campaign launched around new non-fatal strangulation offence

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An awareness campaign, to be launched around a new non-fatal strangulation criminal offence, has been welcomed.The Department of Justice initiative will appear on television screens in Northern Ireland from Monday.It comes after non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation was made a specific offence at the end of June as part of the Justice (Sexual offences & trafficking victims) Act (NI) 2022.Those convicted can face up to 14 years in prisonInformation on how to access support or report the crime will be included in the three-week long television campaign, which will also feature on YouTube and at outdoor sites during 2023/24.Permanent Secretary of the department Richard Pengelly said they want to raise awareness of the crime for perpetrators and victims as well as the general public.“It is important to convey the seriousness of the offence of non-fatal strangulation and the potential for serious harm,” he said.“The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness, for perpetrators, victims and the general public that non-fatal strangulation is a crime, it can cause devastating injuries, where serious injury occurs consent is no defence and consequences for offenders include significant prison sentences.”Sarah Mason, chief executive of Women’s Aid Federation NI, welcomed the move as sending a clear message.She said they welcomed the introduction of the non-fatal strangulation legislation and campaigned to see it enforced.“We believe women and girls in Northern Ireland are safer today than last year,” she said.“A media campaign to highlight this new law will send a clear message that this is a crime.“We are mindful that the content within the campaign could be triggering and would encourage anyone impacted to reach out for