How to talk about non-fatal strangulation (NFS)
Date: Tuesday 8 December 2026
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
Non-fatal strangulation is one of the most significant indicators of future severe harm or death in domestic abuse. It is also a growing trend in abusive intimate relationships among young people.
Anyone working in a health setting, youth work, education or a service supporting women and girls is on the frontline of disclosure.
This session will give you the vital knowledge to recognise the subtle clinical signs, understand the immediate medical risks and provide trauma-informed support to survivors.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- have a better understanding of NFS
- understand the gendered dimensions of NFS
- become more skilled at addressing disclosures of NFS and more confident about asking the right questions
- be more aware of practice in Edinburgh and the support available locally
Speakers
Bernie Ryan OBE
Bernie is the chief executive officer of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS). She has worked for most of her career in strategic, educational, policy and influencing roles nationally and internationally. Her work has aimed to improve responses to victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Jess Lee and Naomi Goodhand
Jess Lee is a community sexual reproductive health specialty trainee and sexual offences examiner. Naomi Goodhand is a specialist inclusion health nurse. Both work in the Women’s Inclusive Sexual Health Extended Service (WISHES) in Edinburgh.
They will share their experience of working with women affected by NFS. They will also give more in-depth information on the overall picture and how common NFS is in Edinburgh, and what support can be provided.
How to sign up for this session
Council employee can sign up on MyLearning Hub.
If you do not work for us sign up using Microsoft forms.
