01/19/2026
Strangulation & Sexual Assault — What You Need to Know
Strangulation is one of the most dangerous forms of violence in sexual assault.
It can happen with hands, arms, pressure on the neck, or objects—and it often leaves little or no visible injury.
⚠️ Important:
So-called “sexual choking” is never safe. Even brief pressure to the neck can cut off oxygen or blood flow to the brain and can be life-threatening.
💡 Feeling “okay” afterward does NOT mean you are okay.
Many people feel fine immediately after strangulation, but serious complications can develop hours, days, or even weeks later.
🚩 Possible long-term and delayed consequences include:
• Brain injury or stroke
• Memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or confusion
• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Voice changes or trouble swallowing
• Anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD
• Sleep disturbances
• Increased risk of future severe or lethal violence
• In rare cases, delayed death due to blood clots or airway swelling
🩺 Medical care is critical.
If strangulation or choking occurred during a sexual encounter—even if it was brief, even if there are no marks, even if you feel okay—you deserve a medical forensic exam. Many injuries are internal and cannot be seen without medical evaluation.
💛 Consent matters.
If pressure to the neck happened without your consent, after consent was withdrawn, or while you were unable to consent, it is sexual assault.
💛 You are in control.
You do not have to report to law enforcement to receive care.
At the SAFE Center, you can:
• Receive medical care
• Preserve evidence
• Speak with an advocate
• Learn your options—without pressure
If you or someone you know experienced strangulation or sexual choking, please seek care as soon as possible. Your life and health matter.
⚠️‼️Strangulation & Sexual Assault: Immediate Symptoms to Assess For⚠️‼️
If strangulation or sexual choking occurred, seek medical care immediately if any of the following are present — even if symptoms seem mild or come and go.
🚨 Call 911 or go to the ER right away if there is:
• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Seizure activity
• Sudden weakness or numbness
• Confusion or inability to stay awake
⚠️ Urgent symptoms to watch for in the first hours to days:
🧠 Neurological
• Headache or pressure in the head
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Memory gaps or confusion⚠️⚠️⚠️
If you lose consciousness, you likely will NOT remember. You will have a memory gap.
• Vision changes (blurred, double vision, seeing spots)
• Ringing in the ears
🗣️ Neck / Throat / Voice
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Pain or swelling in the neck
• Trouble swallowing or speaking
• Feeling like something is “stuck” in the throat
😮💨 Breathing
• Coughing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Chest tightness
🩸 Skin / Face / Eyes
• Redness or bruising on the neck
• Scratches or marks (even faint)
• Red or purple spots on the face or eyes (petechiae)
• Swelling of the face or lips
💔 Other warning signs
• Nausea or vomiting
• Involuntary urination or bowel release
• Extreme fatigue
• Anxiety, panic, or feeling “not right”
💡 Important reminder:
You do not need visible injuries to have serious internal damage.
Symptoms can appear or worsen hours, days , even months later.
💛 You deserve care.
Medical evaluation after strangulation can be lifesaving.
You do not have to report to law enforcement to receive care or a medical forensic exam.
