ALBANY — Nearly 2,000 men have been charged since the state made choking a separate offense last fall to help combat domestic violence, officials said.

About 1,600 face the misdemeanor charge of obstructing someone’s breathing or blood circulation. That rises to a felony if the victim blacked out or suffered other injury.

The law took effect last Nov. 11. The charge was lodged 2,003 times in the first 15 weeks, and 94 percent of the suspects were male, according to the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Choking used to be charged as harassment, a violation, or third-degree assault if there were evident injuries. The state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence cites nearly half a million reported domestic incidents annually.