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

David van der Veldt · 2026-09-17

### A Veteran Performer Weighs In on the Choking Debate When WIRED published its investigation into sexual strangulation in adult content, it sparked a conversation that's been simmering for years. The feature, written by Kat Tenbarge, brought together researchers, legal experts, and industry voices to ask a tough question: can banning depictions of choking actually prevent real-world harm? Cherie DeVille, a 14-year veteran of the adult industry with over 1,700 onscreen credits, offered a perspective that cuts through the noise. She doesn't minimize the danger. In fact, she calls it a serious safety issue. But she also points out something regulators might not want to hear: banning a depiction doesn't automatically give people the information they need to understand the risks. ### The Problem With Prohibition DeVille's argument is straightforward. If you ban choking in adult content, consumers don't just stop watching. They find workarounds. They bypass local restrictions, move to unregulated platforms, or seek out content from sources that don't follow any safety protocols at all. "Professional sets rely on communication, consent, and agreed boundaries," DeVille said. "The larger public conversation needs accurate education alongside any discussion of regulation." That's the part that often gets lost. On a professional set, simulated choking is performed without actual pressure on the trachea. Boundaries are negotiated in advance. Performers check in with each other. It's choreographed, controlled, and consensual. When that content gets pulled from regulated platforms, it doesn't disappear. It migrates to spaces where those protocols don't exist. And that's where the real danger lives. ### What the Research Shows The WIRED feature examined health risks, cultural normalization, and the regulatory debate surrounding sexual strangulation. It's a complex issue that touches on public health, free expression, and consumer safety. Here's what makes it so tricky: - **Choking appears throughout mainstream culture** – not just in adult content. Movies, music videos, and social media all contribute to its normalization. - **Regulation alone can't address behavior** that's already widespread. - **Education and communication** are the tools that actually reduce harm in professional settings. - **Unregulated platforms** often have no safety protocols at all, making them far more dangerous than regulated ones. DeVille's point isn't that we should ignore the risks. It's that we need to be honest about what regulation can and can't do. If the goal is to protect people, then accurate information matters as much as any law. ### Who Is Cherie DeVille? If you're not familiar with DeVille, here's the short version. Born in Durham, North Carolina, and raised in Washington, D.C. and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, she came to adult film later than most. Before entering the industry in 2011, she worked as a physical therapist and clinical instructor, with assignments in places like St. Croix, Florida, Virginia Beach, and Nashville. She's also a former professional swing dancer and glamour model. These days, she's an exclusive contract star for Brazzers and a recognized thought leader in the adult creator space. She's written political columns, given candid interviews to outlets like The Daily Beast, The Hill, Rolling Stone, and the Associated Press, and appeared in the Netflix documentary *Money Shot: The Pornhub Story*. She's also an Adult Performer Advocacy Committee board member and a Cam Model Protection ambassador. Her awards shelf includes multiple AVN MILF Performer of the Year wins and an XBIZ Performer of the Year award. At 5'4", she lives in Los Angeles with her partner and cat, plays Dungeons & Dragons in her spare time, and continues to push for better practices and protections across the industry. ### The Bottom Line The debate over choking in porn isn't going away. But as DeVille makes clear, the solution isn't as simple as hitting the ban button. Real safety comes from education, communication, and consent – not from pretending that restriction alone will solve the problem.