As Coronation Street tackles a harrowing storyline, the soap is breaking the silence on a dangerous trend that has gone mainstream argues Columnist Dr. Aimee Walsh

A dangerous sex trend has been sweeping the nation - with harmful and sometimes fatal consequences - and now a soap storyline is moving the discussion from the bedroom to our TV screens.

'Strangulation sex' - also referred to as 'choking' - has seeped so far into our culture that it is used in hit songs like Jack Harlow’s "Lovin on me" and even on social media in "choke me daddy" memes.

Until now, there has not been an "Adolescence" moment - where the subject has been dealt with in all its severity on a TV series. Now Coronation Street is taking on that challenge, by spreading awareness through a harrowing new storyline that explores the devastating life-altering realities of non-fatal strangulation.

This is no longer a BDSM 'kink'; it has gone mainstream. Many viewers might be unaware of the extreme sexual act - but a recent study conducted by Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) revealed that of over 4,100 young adults (aged 16-34), over 55% have either been strangled or strangled someone else during sex.

It is now so commonplace that researchers suggest that many young people don't think choking even requires consent. It is defined by Durham University's Dr Hannah Bows as "the grabbing, holding or compression of another's neck either by hands, or limb, or by use of a prop or weapon, and typically involves restriction of blood or air flow."

With "choking" being commonplace on porn websites, bragged about in songs and memefied online, it would be easy to believe that it is not that dangerous. But it is.

In tonight's groundbreaking Corrie storyline, Ryan (Ryan Prescott) discovers an unconscious Betsy (Sydney Martin), before she is rushed to the hospital where doctors confirm she has suffered a stroke. The medical team diagnose that the illness was caused by a blood clot which was the result of neck artery damage from a temporary loss of circulation.

Once stabilised, an embarrassed and vulnerable Betsy eventually manages to reveal that Dylan (Liam McCheyne) strangled her during consensual sex, despite both believing the pressure applied was minimal.

Corrie is breaking the silence on the disturbing trend by bringing the storyline to homes across the nation. The conversation starter will spark uncomfortable conversations about our sex lives, but the result could save lives.

Legal expert Professor Clare Glynn, who specialises in researching violence against women, tells the Mirror that in her view, "there is no safe way" to choke somebody, even consensually. "It is exceptionally risky to your long-term health. It's like concussion in sports" she explains.

On the extreme end of the scale, sexual strangulation can kill - but there is also a huge concern for silent harms, like loss of memory function, brain damage and strokes. Brain damage, caused by a stroke, can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak or even swallow. It is a hugely brave and commendable move for a legacy soap like Corrie to spotlight this storyline.

There's further hope that the tide is changing, with new awareness programmes coming to teens in schools. The government has announced today that teenagers will be taught that strangling or suffocating someone during sex could be an imprisonable offence in new sexual education lessons. The government-backed lessons for 14- to 15-year-olds include an updated Relationships, Sex and Health (RSHE) curriculum when new statutory guidance comes into force in September.

If you think you or someone you know is having a stroke, you should Act FAST and call 999. Stroke is a medical emergency. For anyone who’d like to find out more about stroke and the support available, please visit www.stroke.org.uk

If something sexual happened to you without your consent, or you are not sure, you can talk to Rape Crisis England & Wales. It does not matter when it happened.

If you need support, please contact Rape Crisis' 24 hour sexual abuse support line. You can contact them at any time, day or night, all year round, on 0808 500 2222