A sex worker is raising serious concerns about a potentially hazardous sex trend that is gaining traction among couples.
Katija Cortez is quite familiar with various bedroom kinks, having encountered numerous requests in her role as a professional escort over the years.
However, the 29-year-old from Sydney, who also co-hosts a podcast focused on the adult industry, was taken aback by one particular act during her teenage years.
In an interview with news.com.au, Cortez described the experience as ‘unexpected’ and noted her uncertainty about how to handle it.
She attributed her reaction to her lack of experience and confidence in setting boundaries, being just 16 at the time.
Today, she cautions that this practice is becoming more prevalent, especially among couples seeking to enhance their intimacy, but it carries significant risks.
The practice in question is choking during sex, which she describes as a ‘common kink and a form of submissive and sensory play’.
Cortez recalls her initial encounter with the act as unsettling, as it was not pre-discussed with her partner.
“Keep in mind this was over a decade ago when consent was not a topic of conversation like it is today,” she explained. “Had he asked me beforehand if I’d let him choke me, I’d probably have said no.”
In her career in the adult industry, Cortez has noticed an increase in requests for this act, which she attributes to its depiction in pornography.
Cortez added: “When I was younger, a lot of guys had started doing it, which I think definitely came from seeing it in porn. Choking during porn is very, very common and is becoming increasingly more common.”
However, its prevalence in adult films doesn’t equate to safety, she warns, emphasizing that porn is merely a ‘fantasy.’
“Just like movies, porn stars are trained professionals working in controlled environments where many things are all agreed upon beforehand. Even porn actors discuss dos and don’ts before a scene,” she said.
“Sex outside of porn should be no different. It’s all about communication.”
Choking can be uncomfortable for someone who hasn’t consented to it, and Professor Heather Douglas from Melbourne University Law School cautions: “Placing pressure on the neck is not safe.”
Speaking to news.com.au, she elaborated: “Only a small amount of pressure can cause serious harm, and potentially death.
“Particularly concerning is that this behaviour can lead to brain injury, and the more often people engage in strangulation, the more likely brain injury is. Often, people will be unaware of this.”
Cortez also stated: “It needs to be understood that this particular kink can be scary and should not be done without asking.
“Something [like] choking may even bring up past trauma for some people. So, this definitely needs to be kept in mind.”
Additionally, WebMD highlights that sexual choking poses ‘dangerous physical, mental, and emotional risks.’
Potential health issues range from broken blood vessels in the face and a hoarse voice to, in severe cases, death from excessive pressure on the carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain.
According to the site, more than half of women have reported being choked by their partner during sex, with the act being most prevalent among women, transgender, and non-binary individuals.