57 per cent of young Aussies have been choked by a partner during sex

Why is the number rising?

Previously a fringe fetish, erotic asphyxiation is fast becoming a popular trend, according to an Australian-first survey. Here’s what you need to know.

It seems with every emerging generation, sexual liberation and exploration have become more normalised and celebrated. But the rising rate of one potentially dangerous sexual pastime – erotic asphyxiation – has experts growing concerned. 

According to the findings of a recent joint study from the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland., 57 per cent of young Aussies aged 18 to 35 have experienced choking during sex by a partner. 

One-third of respondents revealed they first engaged in erotic asphyxiation as young as 19 to 21 years old, with 29 per cent sharing that their first experience was sometime between the ages of 16 to 18 years of age. 

A high percentage of female respondents shared they had been choked by a partner (61 per cent) compared to male respondents (43 per cent), while the highest rate of erotic asphyxiation was found to occur amongst gender-diverse people (78 per cent). 

Where has the trend originated from?

As the survey’s respondents revealed, the representation of choking in the media is largely to blame for how popular the sex act has become amongst young Aussies, with 60 per cent of people recalling seeing choking regularly in porn. 41 per cent revealed they also became familiar with the act from mainstream movies and TV, such as popular programs like Euphoria and Fifty Shades of Grey. 

32 per cent of respondents shared they were introduced to the concept via friends, 31 per cent via social media and 29 per cent through discussions with their romantic partner. 

But despite the rate of strangulation during sex increasing both on screen and in real life amongst several age demographics, the general understanding of the risks associated with the activity remains worryingly low. 

As violence prevention educator Maree Crabbe explains, the act being popularised across mainstream culture has resulted in an increasing amount of young people (especially men) expecting it as a standard activity during intercourse. 

“Some of them talk about not really being into it, there being an expectation, sometimes being asked by their partners to do it,” Crabbe tells the ABC. “But I think also it can be really difficult for young men to reject that as a sexual practice when it’s become normalised.”

Sexual kink exploration has seeped its way into mainstream culture. Image: Getty

What are the health implications and risks?

“What is perhaps most pressingly needed in this context is community education about strangulation, especially for young people in our communities who may not be aware of its very real and significant risks and dangers,” states the report.

From immediate and obvious implications to far more dangerous later-presenting complications, erotic asphyxiation poses several concerning health risks, according to experts.

Some more obvious implications include bruising, neck pain, coughing, throat pain, vocal damage and difficulty swallowing. Some lesser-known risks – that may not present until long after the choking has taken place – are unconsciousness, brain damage, miscarriage, and potential death. What may appear to be a largely harmless, sexually adventurous activity could also leave young people partaking with impaired memory and problem-solving abilities. 

While some choking fanatics may argue their erotic asphyxiation sessions are explored with both consent and safety front of mind, sex and relationship expert for Lovehoney, Christine Rafe, shares there’s truly no such thing as ‘safe choking’. 

Is there really a 'safe' way to engage in choking? Image: Pexels

“There really is no safe way to engage in actual choking, as any restriction of oxygen to your brain has the potential for accidental injury,” Rafe tells Pedestrian TV. 

“There are lots of ways to explore power play and rough sex dynamics without actually restricting the supply of oxygen to your brain. For example, using handcuffs or other limb restraints (obviously with consent and a clear understanding of stop/no) can be another way to experience the feeling of restriction, power play and taboo without any risks associated with actual choking,” she adds. 

“Placing hands on someone’s collar bone near the neck, with light pressure and in the hand position of choking can also feel extremely erotic and almost mimic choking without the real element of restricted oxygen/blood flow.”

What role does consent play?

While the offences for strangulation in Australia are legally quite severe, in the context of consensual sex things become slightly less clear, the study explores. “While we conclude that clarification is needed, we also recognise that criminal law is always a blunt instrument. Any broadening of its scope has implications for the most vulnerable members of the community who are more likely to be prosecuted,” the study says.

However, despite many respondents revealing they consensually partake in erotic asphyxiation, one in 10 women reported that they have been choked despite not providing consent – a figure that is uncomfortably high in today’s social landscape. 

Originally published as 57 per cent of young Aussies have been choked by a partner during sex