Today's Week 6 Webinar Session was very insightful, providing a deeper exploration into the most prevalent form of domestic violence/abuse. This type of abuse is currently on the rise and is observed in 45% of homicides involving domestic violence partners, according to the June 2024 report. Moreover, the session elucidated the differences between strangulation and choking. Strangulation entails an external application of physical force that impedes either air or blood flow to or from the brain. Choking, on the other hand, involves an internal obstruction of the airway by a "foreign object" [Strangulation is the Highest Predictor of Murder (domesticshelters.org)]
According to Family Justice Alliance, there are "5" strangulation myths that were further explored; they were:
Strangulation and choking are the same thing
Strangulation always leaves visible injuries
If the victim can speak, scream or breathe, they're not being strangled
Strangulation cannot be harmful because many people practice it; such as, martial arts, military and law enforcement
Strangulation victims should be able to detail their attack .
Factually, strangulation doesn't always leave visible injuries; in fact, injuries may not become visible until days later. Moreover, a victim without visible external injury can still die from strangulation. Regarding the notion that if a victim can speak, scream, or breathe, they're not being strangled - a person can have complete obstruction and continue breathing until the moment they die from lack of oxygenated blood flow to the brain. This isn't true for martial arts, the military, and law enforcement; martial arts are a form of combat, and the military and law enforcement use strangulation as a lethal form of force.
Finally, concerning whether strangulation victims should be able to detail their attack, research has shown that trauma impacts the brain's ability to store memory. Consequently, victims are often unable to detail their attack soon after being strangled, as the hippocampus (part of the brain where memory is stored) is most sensitive to oxygen deprivation. Therefore, when a victim is strangled, both factors can impact their ability to recall details of the attack.
For the remaining 30 minutes of the session, Mrs. Sheretta Martin was asked several questions about what has sustained their marriage for over 15 years. Mrs. Martin introduced herself by her full name and apologized for her spouse's absence, as Mr. AJ Martin was unable to participate in the marriage discussion due to a prior engagement. She mentioned having two biological adult daughters and one daughter from her spouse's previous relationship before their marriage. Mrs. Martin shared several key factors that are crucial for any long-lasting marriage, which include communication, respect, and listening to one another. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of allowing each other to maintain individual identities by spending time apart with friends, such as a night out with the ladies or Mr. Martin spending time with his male friends and colleagues.
Furthermore, Mrs. Martin stressed the significance of couples seeking counseling prior to marriage, as there may be areas that need addressing which aren't revealed until after marriage. She suggested that if certain issues are too severe or complex to discuss in couples counseling, individuals should seek further individual counseling with a mental health professional. Overall, this evening's week 6 session was educational and highly informative, particularly for attendees interested in re-entering the dating scene but hesitant due to past experiences with domestic or family abuse. The delivery was insightful, as Mrs. Martin shared her experience of being diagnosed with a severe condition that made her entirely dependent on her spouse, AJ Martin. She attested that he was the ideal partner to support her through this challenging process, which was mentally and physically demanding for him due to the numerous roles and responsibilities he had to assume. This allowed Mrs. Martin to focus on her medical treatment without stress or worry. Mrs. Martin believes that she and her spouse were fortunate to meet at the right place and time in their lives, connecting through a mutual friend.
Next Monday, in Week 7, Gary and Dr. Tonora Garbutt, a married couple, will share insights about their successful marriage of over 15 years from a spiritual perspective.
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