Dr Helen Bichard

@drbichard.bsky.social

NHS North Wales Brain Injury Service; Honorary Fellow Bangor University; Expert Group at the Institute for Addressing Strangulation. Want more of: Cheese, Travel; Want end of: VAWG

Healthcare workers are often the first, and only, point of contact for victims of abuse. It is essential they are equipped to identify, signpost and safeguard victims who need support. As this report shows, the consequences of inaction can be serious harm, including death.

Domestic abuse is ‘public health emergency’, experts say after critical NHS report

Exclusive: Analysis finds domestic abuse training for staff in England and Wales ‘sporadic and inconsistent’

theguardian.com

My latest briefing on how the prevalence of sexual strangulation/choking risks serious harm to young women who are the unwitting guinea pigs of a large-scale experiment with their well-being. We need far better education and regulation. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Sexual strangulation, criminal law and pornography regulation

This Research Briefing outlines how English law currently applies to depictions of sexual strangulation, why it is a concern that such material is so freely and

papers.ssrn.com

"We tell women to report crimes and then either don’t believe them, or say they were violent too when they do. And when they don’t report, we question why they stayed in a relationship and tell them that they wanted the abuse." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Diddy’s lawyers are banking on the ‘mutual abuse’ defence. Newsflash: it’s not a thing | Tayo Bero

Power isn’t equal in an unhealthy relationship. But it’s no surprise Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s team is deploying the tactic

theguardian.com

We welcome Baroness Bertin's report & the attention given to non-fatal strangulation (NFS) & porn. We welcome recommendations that NFS porn should be illegal to possess, distribute, publish. We eagerly await Govt response & timeline of action. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Ban pornography depicting strangulation, review urges UK ministers

Independent review also calls for ban on other ‘legal but harmful’ material that is degrading, violent or misogynistic

theguardian.com

Within seconds, dyspraxia can set in, due to lack of oxygenated blood to the brain, making safe words redundant. Consent should also be informed, but there's little public awareness of the risks. Encouraged to see porn's role formally recognised in the review. Ministers now need to act! #vawg

Institute For Addressing Strangulation@institutefas.bsky.social · 2y ago

There is no safe way to strangle and consent for these acts is not always sought in advance, and an individual's ability to provide ongoing consent can be impeded by being strangled. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...