Choking during sex has become a disturbingly common occurrence, with many individuals experiencing this dangerous act without consent. Rachel, a 26-year-old woman, shared her experience of being strangled unexpectedly by men she had met through dating sites. She described feeling numb and disconnected from her body during these encounters, lasting effects that made her avoid sex for a year afterwards. It seemed to Rachel that the men who choked her had normalized this behavior, likely influenced by the prevalence of non-fatal strangulation (NFS) in pornography.
The health risks associated with choking during sex are severe, including potential brain damage, loss of consciousness, strokes, and psychological problems such as PTSD and depression. Despite these dangers, a survey by the Institute For Addressing Strangulation revealed that strangling is most common among the 16-34 age group, with a significant proportion of respondents reporting being choked by a partner during consensual sex. Some individuals even find pleasure in sexual asphyxiation, viewing it as an intimate act of trust with their partner.
The normalization of choking in mainstream pornography has contributed to its acceptance as a “standard behavior” in sexual encounters. Prof. Hannah Bows noted that non-fatal strangulation has become glamorized and celebrated, leading to its spread in real-life sexual interactions. The government is taking steps to address this issue, proposing legislation to criminalize the depiction of women being strangled during sex online. Strict measures are necessary to combat the dangerous trend of choking filtering into people’s sex lives.
Despite some individuals viewing choking during sex as consensual and pleasurable, experts warn that there is no safe way to strangle someone. Harriet Smailes emphasized that consent for such acts is not always sought and can be impeded by the act itself. Prosecutors like Kama Melly KC have found that NFS often occurs in the context of domestic violence, making it challenging to prosecute due to lack of visible evidence. Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe urges individuals to educate themselves on the risks of sexual asphyxiation and consider the dangerous consequences before engaging in this behavior
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