Cherie DeVille on Why Banning Choking in Porn Won't Fix the Real Problem

Emily Brown · 2026-09-19

### Cherie DeVille Weighs In on the Choking Debate When WIRED published a feature about a teen girl's death and the growing calls to ban choking in porn, it didn't take long for the adult industry to respond. Cherie DeVille, a veteran performer with years of experience on professional sets, stepped forward with a perspective that's both practical and deeply concerned. Her message? This is a serious safety issue — and no one should minimize it. But banning a depiction doesn't automatically give people the information they need to understand the risks. ### What's Really at Stake The WIRED article, written by Kat Tenbarge, brought together researchers, legal experts, and industry voices to examine the health risks, cultural normalization, and regulatory debate surrounding sexual strangulation. It's a conversation that touches on everything from public health to free speech. DeVille's take cuts through some of the noise. She points out that consumers can easily bypass local restrictions or move to unregulated platforms. So while a ban might feel like action, it could just push the behavior underground — where safety protocols don't exist. ### The Professional Set Standard Here's something most people don't realize about professional adult sets: boundaries are negotiated in advance. Simulated choking is performed without actual pressure on the trachea. It's choreographed, communicated, and consensual. > "Professional sets rely on communication, consent and agreed boundaries, and the larger public conversation needs accurate education alongside any discussion of regulation." — Cherie DeVille That quote gets to the heart of it. The industry isn't ignoring the danger. It's managing it through protocols that prioritize performer safety. ### Why Education Beats Prohibition If you ban the depiction but don't teach people about the risks, what have you actually solved? That's the question DeVille is asking. She's not arguing against regulation — she's arguing for education alongside it. - **Consumers need accurate information** about the dangers of strangulation, not just restricted access. - **Performers need safe sets** where consent and communication are non-negotiable. - **The public conversation needs nuance** because this behavior shows up in mainstream culture too, not just in adult content. ### The Bigger Picture This isn't just about one article or one debate. It's about how we talk about safety, consent, and regulation in an industry that's often misunderstood. DeVille's perspective adds a crucial industry voice to a conversation that's still unfolding. Whether you agree with her or not, she's raising questions worth considering. Because at the end of the day, the goal should be fewer tragedies — not just fewer depictions. For those who want to follow the full discussion, the WIRED feature is available now. And Cherie DeVille continues to be a leading voice in the industry, available for booking through OC Modeling.