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Addressing dangers of autoerotic play
By ELIZABETH FISHER
Bucks County Courier Times
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP - In horrifying and increasing numbers, young people lose
their lives to autoerotic play, in which they try to intensify sexual pleasure
by cutting off oxygen to their brains with a noose or something else around
their necks.
These children are out for a thrill and don't take into account the possible
failure of the safety measures they've taken to release the noose. When that
happens, the result is fatal, said Upper Moreland police Officer Scott Metheny.
Metheny said he believes many deaths termed “teen suicide” aren't intentional
at all, but the result of autoerotic games. Statistics aren't reliable because
many of the “suicide” findings are falsified to cover up the accompanying sexual
activity, he said.
The officer tells parents not to mince words when they talk to their children
about sex.
“Kids masturbate. It might not be a comfortable subject to talk about with
them, but it's a fact of life. Sex won't kill them, but some of the things they
do along with it can kill,” said Metheny, who makes the rounds of schools and
civic groups with his presentations about choking games.
Parents can't assume kids know the danger of these sex-and-strangulation
games. They must address the issue, he said.
DisplayAds ('Middle'); “Autoerotic behavior has been around for a very
long time. I learned about it in the police academy. The choking game is more
recent,” Metheny said.
Choking games are similar to autoerotic play, but differ in that the desired
result of a choking game is the head rush when oxygen is restored.
“Choking is more common among young people, but as they get older, they add
the sexual element,” Metheny said.
Falls police are taking a proactive role in the battle against the choking
game. Officer Bill Miller, a cop, a registered nurse and a paramedic, plans to
start programs in the Pennsbury School District, based on Methany's
presentation.
Miller, a DARE officer, said that most parents know nothing about the game,
but most children do, and he wants to try to prevent a tragedy.
“I hear them talking about it. I work with fifth- and eighth-graders and I
want to address any issue that impacts on those children,” said Miller, who will
also offer the program to private schools in the district, parent-teacher
groups, nurses and other organizations.
Elizabeth Fisher can be reached at 215-949-4173 or lfisher@....
March 19, 2006 5:43 AM

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please visit Jason's memory site:
http://www.geocities.com/angelmomfriends4/jason1.html page 1 Welcome; page 2
Birthday; page 3 His last years and death










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