LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's first-ever toolkit to combat strangulation was released by the attorney general Wednesday.
Attorney General Russell Coleman shared "Responding to Strangulation in Kentucky: Guidelines for Prosecutors, Law Enforcement, Health Care Providers and Victim Advocates," one of the first of its kind, according to a news release. The toolkit was unveiled at University of Kentucky's Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington.
The Kentucky General Assembly passed the state's first statute on strangulation, making it a serious felony, in 2019. The manual reports strangulation is one of the most accurate predictors for the subsequent homicide of victims of domestic violence. It is also one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, according to a news release.
"Strangulation is a cruel and brutal crime. Because of the difficulties identifying the visible and nonvisible signs of the abuse, it has been challenging to investigate and prosecute. This Manual aims to end that," Coleman said in a news release Wednesday. "With the collaboration of this outstanding team from diverse backgrounds, we have developed a comprehensive guide to help protect victims and prosecute offenders. This Manual will help our partners across Kentucky keep this Commonwealth safe."
According to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, the majority of all police officers killed in the line of duty are killed by men who have strangled women.
The new manual identifies the signs of strangulation for medical professionals and law enforcement. It was developed by a team of professionals including the Attorney General's Office, the Boone County Attorney’s Office, Louisville Metro Police Department, The Nest in Lexington, Kentucky Children’s Hospital with UK HealthCare and St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
If someone has been a victim of a crime, they can contact the Attorney General's Victim Resource and Referral Line at 800-372-2551.
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