Non‑fatal strangulation (NFS) is a serious form of violence that carries a high risk of significant injury, even when there are few or no visible signs. In Victoria, NFS is recognised as a specific criminal offence, reflecting the danger and long‑term health impacts associated with strangulation.
This page provides clinical support for health professionals caring for adults and children who present to the Emergency Department (ED) after non‑fatal strangulation. A consistent, formalised health response helps identify hidden injuries, guide timely acute and follow‑up care, and ensure that documentation, evidence preservation and mandatory reporting requirements are met.
Purpose of these guidelines
These resources have been developed by the Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) program to support:
- Emergency department medical and nursing staff
- Clinicians assessing, treating and documenting NFS presentations
- Health services implementing safe and consistent NFS protocols.
Clinical resources
The following documents are available for download:
- NFS guideline template (PDF) – a clinical guideline that can be adapted for your health service.
- SHRFV‑adapted NFS checklist (PDF) – supports assessment, documentation and safety planning.
- NFS discharge instructions (PDF) – information to provide to patients at discharge.
The checklists have been adapted by SHRFV using materials from the Training Institute for Strangulation Prevention in San Diego and Bendigo Community Health Service.