Updated August 26, 2026 — 7:03pm,first published 3:16pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Police are investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl on Sydney’s northern beaches after a suspected choking act during sex. The teenager died in hospital two days
Updated ,first published
Police are investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl on Sydney’s northern beaches after a suspected choking act during sex.
The teenager died in hospital two days after emergency services responded to a concern for welfare at an Elanora Heights on Sunday night. They found the girl unresponsive.
She was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition, where she died on Tuesday night.
Two sources with knowledge of the case confirmed the teenager is believed to have engaged in a choking act during sex.
Warnings about sexual strangulation have increased amid scrutiny of violent online pornography, which experts say has warped young people’s understanding of sex and normalised concerning behaviour.
Consent education advocate Chanel Contos said she was devastated by news of the teen’s death: “This just feels insanely preventable.”
“There is no safe way to engage in strangulation during sex and unfortunately, mainly because of pornography, where young people are learning and mimicking scripts from that, this act that was traditionally on the fringes of kink culture has made it way into the mainstream,” the Teach Us Consent founder said.
“We need to seriously investigate the impact that pornography is having on shaping the sexual scripts and behaviours of young people.”
Researchers at the University of Melbourne and University of Queensland reported in 2024 that about 50 per cent of young people had engaged in choking or strangulation during sex, partly because many people mistakenly believe it can be done safely.
“It [sexual strangulation] is happening incredibly frequently, people are doing it regularly … and half the people are doing it at least several times,” lead author Professor Heather Douglas said at the time.
“Brain injury accumulates – the more times you are strangled, the greater the impact on the brain. I suspect there are probably a lot of young people with impacts on their brain as a result of this behaviour, and that’s incredibly concerning.”
The NSW government’s own submission to a recent parliamentary inquiry said depictions of sexual aggression including strangulation in pornography has been linked to increased intimate partner violence, citing research from 2017 by the federal government’s Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Federal independent MP Zali Steggall, from the neighbouring electorate of Warringah, said the teenager’s death underscored the need for a national education campaign to tackle misogyny and teach respectful relationships.
“My thoughts are with her family, friends and community at this incredibly difficult time,” she said.
“Police are investigating the circumstances of the girl’s death and no charges have been laid. We must allow the legal process to take place.
“Regardless of the circumstances of this particular case, the Albanese government itself has confirmed that rates of sexual violence, particularly amongst young people, are rising.
“The Albanese government must urgently roll out a national campaign ensuring young people receive ongoing sexual-health and relationship education.”
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
For more tech updates, stay tuned to our blog.
