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The UK government is drawing a line in the sand, promising to scrub out depictions of choking in adult content after a hard-hitting review exposed how it’s sneakily become a “sexual norm”.
Apparently, the porn industry missed the memo that breathplay isn’t just risqué, it’s a recipe for real-world harm. Now, ministers say they’re tightening laws to pull the plug on what they call “dangerous online material… perpetuating the growing epidemic of violence against women and girls”, The Independent reported.
The announcement is part of a broader pledge to halve gender-based violence in a decade. Lofty goal? Sure. But starting with the porn that’s flooding our screens with graphic strangulation is one hell of a first swing.
Although possessing life-threatening porn is already illegal, this new move slaps an outright ban on depictions of strangulation, full stop.
But what exactly is the damage being done by all this choking content? Let’s talk about non-fatal strangulation (NFS)—because no, it’s not “just a kink”.
NFS refers to the act of intentionally impeding a person’s breathing or circulation by applying pressure to their neck, without causing death, often as a form of control or intimidation. It is often intentional and can occur in different situations such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and attempted murder. In sexual environments, it’s usually branded with the softer term “breath play”. But to be clear: strangulation is not a sexual act, it is violence.
Despite existing laws to protect victims, over 4,000 cases were reported just one year after NFS was criminalised (NFS was recognised as a criminal offence in the UK in April 2022) – and it hasn’t slowed down. In fact, over a third (35%) of 16–34-year-olds report being strangled or choked at least once during consensual sex, The New Feminist reported earlier this year.
So, what’s the actual impact of NFS, and how did this act of violence sneak into bedrooms under the guise of intimacy?
Physically, the consequences are terrifying: brain damage, stroke, seizures, miscarriage, vocal cord injuries, difficulty swallowing, and memory loss. Most strangulation injuries are internal and invisible, so someone can appear fine but suffer a stroke days or even months later from damaged neck vessels. You don’t have to see bruises for the damage to be deadly.
Psychologically, the trauma cuts deep. Survivors often develop PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The panic of believing you’re about to die doesn’t just fade when the moment passes – it lingers, mutates, and rewires a person’s sense of safety.
Then there’s involuntary submission – many survivors describe “playing dead” or freezing during strangulation. It’s a survival instinct, not consent, but that doesn’t stop the self-blame that follows. And finally, there’s the control factor: strangulation is the ultimate power move. It says, “I can end you.” And too often, perpetrators follow through – 53% of NFS victims were later murdered by the same person who had previously strangled them.
Baroness Gabby Bertin, who led the Independent Porn Review, called out the role of media in pushing this disturbing trend. Her February report dropped 32 hard-hitting recommendations, from banning degrading porn tropes to taking down “nudification” apps that digitally strip women without consent.
“I’m not saying that people shouldn’t watch porn. I’m not saying porn shouldn’t exist. I’m not a prude,” Baroness Bertin said.
“It strikes me as incredible that to buy a DVD, which sounds so sort of retro, the BBFC [British Board of Film Classification] has to put a stamp on it… You just have to go on the homepages of some of these mainstream sites and you will see all that degrading content – particularly violent towards women – and it’s all there for everyone to see.”
The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill aims to change that. And according to Alex Davies-Jones, the Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, enough is enough: “Depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but also degrading, with real-life consequences for women.
Cracking down on the appalling rise of strangulation pornography will protect women and send a clear signal to men and boys that misogyny will not be tolerated.”
Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, welcomed the move with open arms: “There is no such thing as safe strangulation; women cannot consent to the long-term harm it can cause, including impaired cognitive functioning and memory.
Its widespread portrayal in porn is fuelling dangerous behaviours, particularly among young people. This is a vital step towards recognising the role violent pornography plays in shaping attitudes to women and regulating an industry which promotes and profits from violence against women.”
Bottom line? The age of the chokehold-as-foreplay fantasy is officially getting strangled out – and not a moment too soon.
[Source: The Independent]
