Support Services
Recognize the Signs
If you experience any of the following, please go to the emergency department or call 911.
Changes in vision (e.g., eyes become blurry)
Ringing or buzzing in ears
Swelling of the tongue or neck
Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or persistent coughing
small/tiny red dots appear on your skin (check the back of your throat & behind your ears)
nausea, vomiting, bleeding
headaches, light-headedness, loss of balance, confusion
drooping eyelids, pupils are different sizes
Medical Care after Strangulation
Pressure placed on the neck can result in serious health consequences, even if you feel ok right now. Having a medical exam post-strangulation is strongly recommended, as you may have injuries that aren’t currently visible.
Forensic Nurse Examiners
Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs) are nurses who are specially trained in both medicine and forensics. They are the intersection of the health and legal systems.
When you get an exam, you make all the decisions – including what kind of exam you have…
Medical Exam
Survivors can choose whether to get a medical-only exam, where you will be checked out and treated for any injuries.
Medical Forensic Exam with Report to Police
Survivors can also choose to have a forensic exam where the FNE will document any forensic findings and send that evidence to the police. They can support you in reporting to the police if you need.
Medical Forensic Exam with Storage
You do NOT have to file a police report to get a forensic exam. You can also choose to have the forensic evidence stored until you may be ready to report your victimization to the police.
Forensic Nursing in British Columbia
Forensic Nurse Examiners in British Columbia currently work primarily out of hospital emergency rooms.
Fraser Health Region:
In the Fraser Health Authority, forensic nurse examiners are on site at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital between 7 am and 11 pm, 7 days a week, and are available on-call overnight to see patients who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or other forms of violence.
If you have experienced strangulation more than 7 days ago, visit the Embrace Clinic in Surrey, B.C.
Vancouver Island:
Forensic Nurse Examiners on Vancouver Island are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Go to an Island Health Emergency Department and ask for a forensic nurse examiner. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can also access the resources with the community-based Victoria Sexual Assault Centre.
Vancouver Coastal Health Region:
In the Vancouver Coastal Health region, forensic nurse examiners provide care for sexual assault survivors at BC Women’s Hospital, while survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or other forms of interpersonal violence can go to Lions Gate Hospital.
Interior Health Region:
The Interior Health Authority offers a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination program that can be accessed through any Interior Health emergency department.