‘Rough sex’ is experiencing a cultural moment and has become an increasingly common term in our everyday vernacular. Depictions of ‘rough’ sexual behaviours – such as hair pulling, slapping, and choking/strangulation – are now common portrayals in contemporary movies, men’s and women’s lifestyle magazines, and popular song lyrics. Rough sexual behaviours are also eroticised in freely available mainstream pornography. Emerging research suggests that rough sex has become a common sexual repertoire, particularly among adults, with some people describing rough sex as a playful, consensual aspect of their sexual lives and experiences. For others, behaviours that might be understood as ‘rough’ can be experienced as sexual violence, and rough sex has become a defining feature in sexual violence cases and intimate partner homicides. This workshop will critically appraise the eroticisation of choking/strangulation in popular culture and consider the role that mainstream pornography may play in defining the contours of ‘rough’ sexual repertoires. This workshop will highlight the need for ongoing attention to the potential harms associated with rough sex and ‘choking’ as an emerging sexual practice, particularly in relation to violence response and prevention efforts.

In his work with young people across the country, Kris has worked to establish a shared language and understanding about how young people are navigating the online world. In this workshop Kris will outline the approach to work done with boys and young men in Auckland and Dunedin as part of the Shifting the Line project. The workshop will describe and discuss the approach and tools used to engage small groups of young people in meaningful discussions around important social issues including gender norms, sexism, harassment, misogyny, and pornography. Kris will share insights into how young men respond to these discussions, the successes and challenges of doing such work, and work through key learnings that may be considered for integration into youth work, education, and parenting.

Stalking and online harm – in this 1.5 hour workshop we will focus on online harms for Takatāpui and Rainbow adults, including stalking, the use of Grindr for harm, and risks for Takatāpui and Rainbow elders. It will point to kaimahi training resources to upskill when working with Takatāpui and Rainbow adults who have experienced harm.”

This 1.5 hour interactive workshop will focus on the effects of misinformation for young people and their parents, online grooming and harm. 

It will introduce two protective resources – Kōrero Mai and Kids and Gender.