More than half of young Australians are using strangulation (or ‘choking’) during sex, new data has found.
A joint study by the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland surveyed over 4,700 people aged 18-35.
It found 57% had been strangled during sex, while 51% had strangled a partner.
Strangulation that causes serious harm is illegal across Australia, however researchers found that “few” respondents knew this was a criminal offence in their state or territory.
Here’s the latest.
Strangulation in sex
Sexual strangulation involves restricting or stopping someone from breathing. Sexual violence experts advise that there is no safe way to strangle.
Australian researchers found that about a third of young people experienced strangulation in sex for the first time between the ages of 19-21.
The study found an overall lack of understanding among young people about strangulation safety and consent.
Young Australians
Around 60% of men (compared to 40% of women) said they had strangled a sexual partner. This rate was higher in trans and gender-diverse respondents, at nearly 75%.
The majority of participants said they first became aware about strangulation during sex via pornography.
Other common avenues were movies (40%), friends (32%), social media (31%) and discussions with current or potential partners (29%).
Risks
Researchers warned strangulation can cause a range of short and long term health issues, including bruising, blackouts, problems with memory and concentration, and brain injury.
Some symptoms can occur weeks or months after the initial strangulation.
Study co-author Professor Heather Douglas compared the effects of repeated strangling to “the effects of repeated concussions on footballers.”
Criminal offences
Strangulation that causes serious harm is a criminal offence across most states and territories in Australia. For example, it carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment in NSW.
83% of survey participants did not know strangulation was a criminal offence and most did not know that consensual strangulation could be seriously harmful.
Researchers suggest that while consent can be given to be strangled, it might be given “without understanding that it could seriously injure them”.
Original Source: Chloe Christie, The Daily AUS. Click here to view original post!