SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Strangulation is the latest topic for the Texas Governor\u2019s Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force, which is investigating key homicide indicators to make suggestions to the Texas Legislature.<\/p>\n
KSAT first reported on the new task force in February<\/a>, then most recently reported on its first session, which addressed stalking<\/a>.<\/p>\n The second topic is strangulation, the offense that upgrades domestic violence to a felony.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is the largest way for somebody to exert power and control over somebody else,\u201d said Texas Advocacy Project CEO Heather Bellino.<\/p>\n Bellino is a task force member and said even survivors themselves have trouble quantifying this terrifying act of abuse.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will have victims say, \u2018Oh, he choked me, but that happened once.\u2019 Choking is when something\u2019s caught in my throat,\u201d Bellino said. \u201cStrangulation is when somebody impedes your airways and blocks your jugular so your blood flow is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n The most important solution Bellino heard in the latest meetings was ensuring first responders understand this, so the right person is arrested.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your breath is being impeded, you\u2019re going to fight. It\u2019s your human instinct,\u201d Bellino said. \u201cSo there are likely going to be injuries on the perpetrator and not the victim. Because this might not show right away.\u201d<\/p>\n Bellino confirmed that\u2019s why some survivors end up getting arrested for domestic violence instead of the perpetrator, because the perpetrator is the one with scratches or external injuries.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to train everybody to ask the right questions in order to make sure that the next abuse does not occur,\u201d Bellino said.<\/p>\n Another solution is educating survivors on the repercussions of strangulation, that there can be hidden internal injuries, and it\u2019s important that they see a doctor.<\/p>\n Once the task force finishes discussing strangulation, they\u2019ll learn about firearm homicides and then write a full report to present to the Texas Legislature at the end of 2027.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there is so much help for you. KSAT has a list of resources<\/a> on its Domestic Violence webpage<\/a>, which also explains how to identify different types of abuse.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s an emergency, text or call 911. For wrap-around services, including the Battered Women and Children\u2019s Shelter, call Family Violence Prevention Services <\/a>at 210-733-8810.<\/p>\n You can also contact the Bexar County Family Justice Center<\/a>, which also provides wrap-around services at 210-631-0100.<\/p>\n