Experts are calling for greater education on the risks of strangulation after the death of a 16-year-old girl from Sydney's northern beaches, which the ABC understands is related to a suspected sexual choking act.

The girl is believed to have lost consciousness and had a seizure due to asphyxiation after allegedly being choked during consensual sexual intercourse. She was rushed to hospital on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026, but died a few days later.

Women's Health NSW chief executive Denele Crozier reported a 123 percent increase in women presenting with concerns about potential brain injuries linked to strangulation since the launch of an awareness and training program in 2023. Crozier noted that clients include victim-survivors of family violence as well as individuals engaging in consensual sexual choking.

Research from University of Melbourne Law School's Heather Douglas found that 57 percent of Australians aged 18 to 35 had been strangled during sex, with about half admitting to strangling their partner. Douglas highlighted that over 60 percent of surveyed individuals learned about strangulation during sex through pornography, while 40 percent discovered it via social media, peers, or partners.

Douglas emphasized the dangers, stating, "It's sort of like when we think about drinking alcohol during pregnancy — we have landed on there's no safe level of drinking, and I think that's the right message we need to have around strangulation." Experts warn that only a small amount of pressure, comparable to opening a can of drink, can cause unconsciousness and death.

A 2024 survey found about half of young Australians have engaged in strangulation during sex, and a NSW parliamentary inquiry last year heard "overwhelming evidence" that choking is among physically violent acts common in mainstream pornography.

Notable Quotes

  • "Strangulation can be very violent, and is violent, but it can also be part of sex play."
  • "Over 60 per cent of the people we surveyed said they found out about strangulation during sex in their use of pornography."
  • "We also found out that many of them, 40 per cent, were finding out about strangulation during sex on social media, and also from their peers and their partners."
  • "Basically, it only takes the pressure of opening a can of drink to cause unconsciousness and death, so not much pressure is required."

Experts stress the need for increased public education to address the risks associated with strangulation, particularly in sexual contexts.

Sources