Violence
Strangulation During Sex Among Undergraduate Students in Australia: Toward Understanding Participation, Harms, and Education.
Open Access: No.
Abstract
Background. Strangulation is becoming a more common sexual practice despite its potentially fatal consequences and associated short- and long-term sequelae. This research provides a preliminary examination of participation and perception toward strangulation during sex among Australian undergraduates.
Methods. This study utilized a confidential, cross-sectional online survey collected in 2022–2023. Analysis included 168 undergraduate students at an Australian University and explored their awareness of the harms of strangulation, understanding of criminalization, and the impact of education on these attitudes.
Results. In total, 56% reported ever being strangled during sex and 51% ever strangling a partner. Seventeen percent of participants reported being strangled and 13% strangling a partner during their last sexual experience. Higher frequency, wanting, and positive perceptions of strangulation were associated with more liberal sexual attitudes. However, there were differences depending on gender. Participants generally did not perceive strangulation to be harmful and had limited knowledge about its criminalization. Lastly, a brief education intervention on strangulation harms revealed reductions in positive perceptions of strangulation that were pronounced among women.
Conclusions. In this convenience survey, Australian university students commonly reported previously engaging in strangulation during sex but with limited awareness of the potential consequences. Our results indicate that education on these consequences could reduce positive perceptions of strangulation, particularly among women.
Policy Implications. Education on strangulation harms are likely more effective than criminalization alone in improving awareness of its consequences and changing perceptions of strangulation. These findings could help guide targeted policy and education on strangulation within sexual health contexts.
Relevance
Sexual strangulation is commonly known as “choking”. But “this
terminology minimizes the potential lethality and harms associated with this type of asphyxiation…Aside from being potentially fatal, research from strangulation within the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault has found that harms can encompass both short- and long-term physical and mental health issues, including loss of (or change in) voice, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, bruising around the neck, loss of consciousness, depression and anxiety, miscarriage, and problems with memory and concentration, many of which can occur weeks or months after the event…Research has also identified that the likelihood of developing neurological problems including memory problems and early dementia increases with repeated strangulations.”
Of those who reported being strangled, 42.3% got the idea from pornography.
Citation
Sharman, L.S., Fitzgerald, R. & Douglas, H. (2025). Strangulation During Sex Among Undergraduate Students in Australia: Toward Understanding Participation, Harms, and Education. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 22, 362-75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-024-00941-4
