ROCKFORD Rockford s next class of emergency dispatchers underwent specialized training Wednesday to listen for evidence of strangulation during 911 calls about domestic violence.
Strangulation is a common theme in the backgrounds of domestic violence homicide victims. It can serve as a warning of severe danger and require specialized medical treatment, said Jennifer Cacciapaglia, manager of the Mayor s Office Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention. We become concerned that the strangulation could occur more and more aggressively, leading to lethality, Cacciapaglia said. The idea is for 911 operators to catch it when a survivor calls as early as possible and communicate that to EMTs and the police.