Police warn 'there is no safe way to strangle'

People are being warned of the dangers of choking during sex, which can starve the brain of oxygen without displaying visible signs of injury.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clare Moody launched the new campaign earlier, warning about the dangers of non-fatal strangulation.

Funded by the Ministry of Justice, the initiative aims to challenge myths, share clear clinical information, and help prevent harm before it happens.

"Too many people have been led to believe this is low-risk behaviour, when the reality is, it can cause serious and sometimes life-changing harm," Moody said.

According to the NHS, when the brain is starved of oxygen it can lead to strokes, brain injuries, loss of consciousness or long-term cognitive impacts.

A study comparing MRI scans of women who had recently been strangled with those who had never been strangled found that repeated choking during sex may alter how different regions of the brain communicate – including areas responsible for movement, awareness, and emotional processing.

Medical experts warn that a person can appear well immediately after being strangled but still develop life‑threatening complications hours or even days later.

However, only 50% of people who are strangled will have any visible injury to the neck or head.

Anyone who has been strangled should seek medical advice, Avon and Somerset Police said.

"This campaign is about recognising that people are being harmed," Moody said.

"They have been misled into thinking strangulation is low risk, but there is no safe way to restrict someone's air or blood flow."

The Institute for Addressing Strangulation reports that 35% of 16–34-year-olds have been strangled or choked at least once during consensual sex.

"People deserve to feel safe in their relationships. Preventing this harm has to start with honest conversations about the risks," Moody added.

Non-fatal strangulation became a stand-alone criminal offence in 2022.

In the first year alone, there were 23,817 reports to police in England and Wales, according to police statistics.

The Government has also announced plans to make pornography depicting strangulation illegal, recognising the role of online media in normalising strangulation as expected sexual behaviour.

The campaign will roll out across Avon and Somerset this week, with plans for adoption across the wider south-west.

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