Navigating Consent in the Context of Sexual Choking/Strangulation: Findings from Qualitative Interviews with Young Adults

Sexual choking is a form of strangulation that involves using one’s hands, limb, or ligature to press or squeeze the neck, thus reducing blood and/or air flow, and has become prevalent among young adults in the United States. Yet, little is known about how sexual communication and consent occur in the context of choking, especially as some people may be unable to breathe or speak while being choked.

Qualitative interviews were conducted in January/February 2020 with 45 undergraduate and graduate students who had choked or been choked during sex.

We identified two broad themes relating to (1) the nebulousness in the spectrum of consent and (2) the intersections of gender, power, and trust in relation to consent. Although most participants indicated that it was important for people to talk about choking before engaging in it, few described doing so in practice. Additionally, participants described placing a hand on the neck as a nonverbal form of seeking consent for choking or of asking a partner to choke them. Participants rarely described discussing preferences or boundaries related to choking pressure or duration.

We found that young adults rarely discuss sexual choking/strangulation with one another, even though choking/strangulation is a higher risk practice. Further, we found evidence of sexual compliance in which people choke, or accept being choked, to please their partner.

Findings could help guide policy related to consent, sexuality education (including consent education), and clinical guidance related to sexual choking/strangulation.