Strangulation during sex is being normalised by porn, Rape Crisis Centre chief says
The head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has urged parents to speak to young adults about the alarming rise of strangulation during sex which is being made ‘normal’ because of on-line pornography.Rachel Morrogh, CEO, of the not-for-profit counselling service, told Crime World that strangulation is something that keeps coming up with victims of sexual violence. A UK government review recently found porn involving non-fatal strangulation is “rife” and that its prevalence online was contributing to choking filtering into some people’s sex lives - particularly among young people. While it may be more common, it is illegal and highly dangerous.Nobody wants to think of their son bringing harm on another person, or of their daughter being harmed, but that’s what’s happening in Ireland todayMorrogh continues: “Everybody should have the opportunity to live life without sexual violence and to have a healthy sex life, by healthy I mean not harmful, there shouldn’t be an expectation for boys that they need to strangle their partners, or a belief from girls that they are going to be strangled.“It may seem like your son or daughter might never engage in such an activity, but the evidence is different. Talk to your daughter or your son and be open about it.”The top crime stories of 2025 She added: “Nobody wants to think of their son bringing harm on another person or of their daughter being harmed but that’s what’s happening in Ireland today“Sexual violence is preventable so I would urge parents to have that tough conversation.”Read moreGardai in new Christmas appeal for information on fatal Edenderry firebomb attackMorrogh, who took on her role in 2023, revealed that leaders like US President Donald Trump have given misogyny and the hatred of women a platform.“We are seeing is that young men now holding particularly harmful views about women and it’s the first time in my lifetime that a younger generation has held less progressive views than older age groups.It’s the first time in my lifetime that a younger generation has held less progressive views than older age groups“This is a conflation of different things, and I think that part of it is the internet and social media, because social media amplifies and monetizes harmful views about women.“I also think that some of the world’s most influential leaders have views that are not progressive, and we saw recently Donald Trump pointing his finger at a female journalist and saying ‘quiet piggy’.“When the US president does that, he creates an opportunity for other men to use that harmful rhetoric against women in their own lives, it gives them permission to do so and for a misogynist narrative to come forth.“So, we need to redouble our efforts to tackle those attitudes, it just hasn’t been taken seriously enough. Read moreDad sexually assaulted daughter in her bedroom after getting drunk watching football on TV“It’s also dangerous for young men to view all this material because it’s bad for their mental health.“I think the government need take on the tech companies and we need to be brave about that. “We need to put public health ahead of the commercial interests of the tech companies. The government needs to get in front of problem and legislate and regulate.”You can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre freephone 24-Hour National Helpline at 1800 77 8888, at any time of day or night.
