The Truth and Consequences of Sexual Choking/Strangulation — What we learned since 2023

Over the past decade, rough sex behaviors have become increasingly prevalent and normalized among many young adults in the U.S. and internationally. The most striking change has been in relation to non-fatal strangulation, which is almost universally called “choking” by the people who engage in it as well as in mainstream media and in pornography. Today, there is a growing awareness about and alarming concern with strangulation during sex being used in consensual sexual practices, violent pornography, and dangerous adolescent “choking games” leading to similar health consequences and death.

Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and sexual assault: unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes. When domestic violence perpetrators choke (strangle) their victims, not only is this felonious assault, but it may well be an attempted murder.

In this evidence-based presentation, Casey Gwinn will provide context, Dr. Debby Herbenick (a Professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health, an internationally recognized sexuality researcher, and author of “Yes Your Kid: What Parents Need to Know About Today’s Teens and Sex”) will share the most up to date research on how choking/strangulation has rapidly increased in prevalence, both as part of consensual sex and in connection with college campus and community sexual assaults. dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Research findings will be presented that show how people learn about choking/strangulation; how they engage in it; the role of various media (pornography, social media, mainstream media) in shaping this sexual practice; its prevalence, frequency, short-term symptoms, health consequences, and potential neurological changes.