Strangulation/Choking

If you have experienced an incident of strangulation or choking, the forensic nurses at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC) can provide you with a forensic examination and safe, compassionate, confidential care.

Intimate partner strangulation/choking is a very serious form of domestic violence or abuse.

All CRMC Forensic nurses have been specially trained by the Strangulation Training Institute in the care of victims of strangulation, both at the time of the event and for follow-up services.

Support we can provide includes:

Conducting a medical forensic examination with or without evidence collection, photography, and documentation, upon your wishes
Arranging community resources for any anticipated needs after discharge
Contacting law enforcement, if you wish to do so.

To contact the CRMC Forensic Nursing Office, please call (307) 633-7610. If there is no answer or it is after 7 p.m., please call the CRMC Emergency Department at (307) 633-7610 and ask to speak with the forensic nurse on call.

What does “strangulation” mean?

The definition of “strangulation” or being choked is a person knowingly or intentionally impeding the breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person. Pressure on the structures of the neck can cause unseen and unrecognized injuries. Through years of research there is better understanding now about the seriousness of non-lethal strangulation.

Strangulation has been shown to be an ultimate form of power and control, where the batterer can demonstrate absolute control over their victim.

What are the symptoms of strangulation?

If you have experienced any of the symptoms below, please call the CRMC Forensic Nursing Office at (307) 633-7610.

What are the side effects of strangulation?

Strangulation has been found to be a strong indicator of increasingly severe violence leading to possibility of homicide.

Once a person has been strangled and did not lead to their death, their chances of homicide increase 750% if they are strangled again.

Community resources

Our community is full of resources to help you advocate for yourself, find support, and offer guidance. You are not alone; we are here to help!

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC)
– Main: (307) 634-2273
– Emergency Department: (307) 633-7670
– Sex Assault Coordinator: (307) 633-7610
– Behavioral Health: (307) 633-7382
– Victim Helpline: (888) 996-8816
Cheyenne Laramie County Public Health: (307) 633-4000
Family Planning: (307) 633-4040
Peak Wellness: (307) 634-9653
Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
Safe House: (307) 634-8655
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
Suicide Hotlines: (800) 457-9312, (800) SUICIDE
Wyoming Office of Victim Services: (307) 777-7200
US Attorney Victim Program: (307) 772-2124
Burns Police Department: (307) 547-2252
Cheyenne Police Department: (307) 637-6519
Laramie County Sheriff’s Office: (307) 633-4700
Pine Bluffs Police Department: (307) 245-3777
FE Warren AFB Response Coordinator: (307) 773-6444

Strangulation or “being choked” can cause death or other permanent side effects. The amount of pressure that it takes to open a can of soda on the arteries of the neck has the potential cause death or permanent damage.