Normalisation of rough sex is a looming public health emergency - clinician
Sex therapist Jo Robertson is highlighting the dangers of 'rough sex' practices like choking, which are increasingly normalized among young people due to online content. Her new documentary explores how these portrayals conflict with safe and consensual sexual practices.
Why it matters
The normalization of violent sexual practices among youth represents a growing public health concern regarding consent and physical safety.
Sex therapist Jo Robertson interviews young people and experts about dangerous sexual practises such as “choking” in a new TVNZ documentary.
This content discusses sex and sexual harm. For support Saturday Morning 23 August 2026 6 min read Saturday Morning 23 August 2026 6 min read Caption: 'What Happened to Sex?' premieres on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ on 24 August at 8.30pm. Photo credit: Tessa Chrisp For many young people, insults, hitting, and strangulation during sex are seen as the new normal, says sex therapist Jo Robertson , presenter of the upcoming documentary What Happened to Sex?.
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