HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 11

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Deborah A. Armstrong and Patricia Roybal Caballero

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO CREATE A STATEWIDE HEALTH PLAN DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE LONG-TERM HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE STRANGULATION.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has the second-highest domestic violence rate in the United States, and sixty-eight percent of all domestic violence victims will experience near fatal strangulation as a consequence of domestic violence; and

     WHEREAS, often, even in fatal cases, there is no external evidence of injury from strangulation, yet because of underlying brain damage due to the lack of oxygen during the strangulation assault, victims may have serious internal injuries or die days or even weeks later; and

     WHEREAS, anoxic brain injury from strangulation may occur within seconds and death may occur within minutes; and

     WHEREAS, many law enforcement agencies underestimate the significance of strangulation and its potential lethality and fail to make appropriate medical referrals; and

     WHEREAS, many first responders and emergency room personnel lack the training necessary to identify the signs and symptoms of strangulation and often focus on visible, obvious injuries like stab wounds or contusions; and

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach is needed from law enforcement, first responders and the medical community to effectively address strangulation, reduce children's exposure to violence and end the cycle of violence; and

     WHEREAS, the injury prevention division of the department of health is charged with the promotion of programs and policies focusing on the prevention of sexual violence and intimate partner violence;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to convene a task force to create a statewide health plan to reduce the incidence of interpersonal violence strangulation and address the long-term health implications of interpersonal violence strangulation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of health be requested to invite representatives from the following entities to participate in the task force:

          A. the New Mexico coalition against domestic violence;

          B. the New Mexico coalition of sexual assault programs;

          C. the Santa Fe coordinated community response council;

          D. a law enforcement agency;

          E. the university of New Mexico health sciences center;

          F. the Indian health service;

          G. a medical first responder agency;

          H. a medical professional with an expertise in the area of anoxic brain injury caused by strangulation; and

          I. any other appropriate entity; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force present its recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee and the legislative finance committee no later than November 30, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health, the chair of the legislative finance committee, the director of the legislative finance committee and the chair of the interim legislative health and human services committee.

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