Author(s)
Dercio de Assis
Arpita Ghosh
Sonia Oreffice
Climent Quintana-Domeque

Non-fatal strangulation (NFS) is a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) and a strong predictor of intimate partner homicide (IPH). We compile NFS statute data, link them to homicide reports, 1990–2019, and estimate effects on IPH using a two-stage difference-in-differences estimator for staggered adoption and heterogeneous effects. NFS laws reduce IPH for ages 18–49, by 0.169 female-victim homicides per 100,000 women and 0.090 male-victim homicides per 100,000 men. We find no effects on IPH for ages 50–70 or on stranger-perpetrated homicides. Evidence from reported IPV incidents is suggestive of changes in reported incident classification and arrest patterns.

Publication Type
Working Paper
File Description
First version, June 9, 2026
JEL Codes
C21: Single Equation Models; Single Variables: Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions
I18: Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
J12: Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure; Domestic Abuse
J16: Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
J78: Labor Discrimination: Public Policy
K14: Criminal Law
K42 Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
N92: Regional and Urban History: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
Keywords
criminal justice
domestic violence
gender
intimate partner violence