Editor’s note: This article contains discussion of sexual violence. Resources and helplines can be found at the bottom of the piece.

On Monday, Sept. 30, Dr. Debby Herbenick came to campus to discuss her research on sexual choking. Herbenick is an author, researcher, and professor of Human Sexuality and Sexual Health at Indiana University. The event was organized by the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (RSVP) for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A little after 7 p.m., Herbenick began presenting to a crowd of WashU students and faculty in Graham Chapel. 

Herbenick began her investigation on sexual choking four years ago when she noticed her students’ increased interest in learning about the topic. She noted that choking was not a prevalent kink 10 years ago, but its popularity has skyrocketed in the past decade. 

Matt Fanning, a therapist for the RSVP Center, organized the event. Fanning met Herbenick at a conference and was alarmed by the data she presented. Fanning explained several reasons for bringing Herbenick to campus. 

“One, we’ve recognized some trends showing up. Things have been showing up through students that we work with in various capacities,” Fanning said. “Two is when we went to a conference…this data was, like, to me, alarming, and new.”

Herbenick also clarified that sexual choking is a misnomer and that the practice’s proper name is sexual strangulation. Choking implies some obstruction in the throat or a difficulty getting air, while strangulation is the act of compression around the neck described in so-called sexual choking. 

Over the past four years, Herbenick has compiled surveys, interviews, and studies on sexual strangulation that include tracking trends regarding rough sex on college campuses, interviewing people on their experiences with sexual strangulation, and investigating the potential medical risks of this kink. 

Herbenick said that there are three main reasons why this research matters. Her first reason is relatively straightforward: sexual strangulation can have fatal repercussions. She emphasized this point with headlines of accidental deaths caused by sexual strangulation. Second, she pointed out the issues sexual strangulation presents to consent, as individuals close to losing consciousness may lose their ability to withdraw verbal or non-verbal consent. Finally, she explained that sexual strangulation can have lasting damage because it restricts oxygen and blood flow to the brain. 

Herbenick is focused on educating individuals about sexual choking and fighting misinformation about the topic. During the seminar, Herbenick discussed safe ways of practicing sexual choking and emphasized one main message: there is no way to strangle someone safely. Though some sources claim that pressing the sides of someone’s neck is safe, Herbenick has found that any amount of time with restricted blood flow to the brain is dangerous. Moreover, repeated acts of sexual strangulation heightens the risks of long-term brain damage. 

Herbenick made it clear that she is not interested in chastising young people, but rather she wants to compile comprehensive data on this trend and start a conversation about the precautions that should be taken regarding sexual choking. 

“I think she did a really good job of not shaming, and continuing with sex positivity, while also teaching about the risks of strangulation and choking,” said Aliza Kleinberg, a student at the Brown School of Social Work. 

Herbenick explained that choking becoming a trend, and more mainstream quickly, means that people engaging in rough sex do not always have the resources available to navigate it safely. Herbenick’s research on sexual strangulation is part of an ongoing process and there is a lot more to learn about this kink; still the rate of its growing popularity is faster than information is being published. Herbenick also mentioned that resources on the topic can be misleading or incorrect. She has found that oftentimes, partners will introduce kinks like choking without discussing it beforehand or thoroughly expressing their limits, which is both dangerous and a violation of consent. 

Herbenick’s research is a valuable resource for educators and students to prepare them for changing sexual trends. It is also crucial that people make informed decisions and are aware of the risks before engaging in potentially harmful sexual behaviors.

Editor’s note: The Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Helpline (S.A.R.A.H) provides confidential and anonymous support and can be reached at 314-935-8080 24 /7 during the fall and spring academic semesters.

There are counselors at the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center, located in Seigle Hall, Suite 435, available confidentially to any University student. The office can be reached at tel:314-935-3445 or by email at mailto:[email protected].

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at tel:1-800-656-4673 or via online chat at https://hotline.rainn.org/online 24/7.