03/17/2026
In recent weeks, Anishinabek Police Service officers have responded to a number of incidents involving strangulation of an intimate partner.
We are sharing this information solely to open a sensitive conversation with members of our 16 communities.
Strangulation is deeply tied to coercion and control. It is a calculated attempt to dominate and instill terror. It is also one of the most serious indicators that intimate partner violence (IPV) will escalate. In fact, it is a high-risk indicator of future homicide, often referred to as a “calling card of a killer”. According to The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, a person who has suffered a non-fatal strangulation incident with their intimate partner is 750% more likely to be killed by the same offender.
In 2019, the Criminal Code of Canada was amended to recognize strangulation as a distinct criminal offences (Assault by Choking – Section 267(c) of the Criminal Code) to allow for stiffer penalties and better tracking of these kinds of IPV incidents.
Abuse is not your fault.
We know it can be very difficult for someone experiencing domestic violence to ask for help. If you or someone you know is a victim of family or intimate partner violence, call 1-888-310-1122. If a violent incident is in progress and you are in danger, call 9-1-1.
If you or someone you know are experiencing intimate partner violence, we encourage you to visit our website for more information. As a reminder, every page of our website features a “Quick Escape” button in the bottom right-hand corner so you can leave our site quickly.
▪️ Curated catalogue of supports for survivors: https://www.anishinabekpolice.ca/support-resources
▪️ Information about domestic and intimate partner violence: https://www.anishinabekpolice.ca/staying-safe/domestic-violence
We are here for you.
