What Is 'Stealthing?': A Dangerous Sex Trend On The Rise

A disturbing new trend known as “stealthing” is gaining traction, where men secretly remove condoms during intercourse without their partner’s consent. This alarming practice has raised concerns among health experts, some of whom link it to darker psychological traits like psychopathy and narcissism.

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Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia published a 2023 study investigating the connection between the Dark Triad personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism (characterized by manipulation, moral indifference, and lack of empathy), and psychopathy—along with condom-use resistance. The study surveyed 416 sexually active men over the age of 18 to explore if there was any correlation between these personality traits and the act of stealthing.

The results were chilling. Men who admitted to being aroused by stealthing scenarios or who had a history of stealthing behavior scored significantly higher in narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy compared to those who never engaged in the practice. The researchers used a series of scenarios to assess this behavior, including statements like: “You are having sex with a person, and you remove your condom during sex without that person knowing, and you continue to have sex without a condom” and “Your partner consents to sex with a condom, and you intentionally break the condom and continue having sex without telling your partner it is broken.”

The study found a clear association between all three Dark Triad traits and resistance to condom use. Men with higher scores in narcissism and psychopathy were more likely to engage in stealthing behavior, with these traits also predicting a higher intention to participate in such actions.

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Stealthing has become a more prevalent issue over the past decade.

In addition to the Dark Triad analysis, a 2019 study by sexual violence researcher Kelly Cue Davis examined the prevalence of non-consensual condom removal (stealthing) among women. The study involved 503 women aged 21-30 with higher sexual risk characteristics, recruited between 2013 and 2017. Participants were asked about their experiences with sexual victimization and condom-use resistance (CUR).

The results were startling: 87% of women reported experiencing non-coercive condom-use resistance (CUR) from a partner, while 49% experienced coercive CUR. Of the women who participated, 58% reported engaging in non-coercive CUR, and 19% in coercive CUR. Notably, 12% of the women reported that a partner had engaged in stealthing, though none of the participants had ever engaged in the act themselves. This study highlights the disturbing frequency of stealthing, a violation of trust and consent that can have serious health and emotional consequences for victims.

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Is stealthing a crime in the U.S.?

According to the Fairfax County, Virginia, website, stealthing is not only an invasion of trust but a serious violation of sexual consent. The legal consequences for stealthing vary by state. In October 2021, California became the first state to make stealthing illegal, with perpetrators potentially facing charges under sexual assault or rape laws. The Law Offices of John D. Rogers notes that in California, stealthing is treated as a crime because it involves the non-consensual removal of a protective barrier, putting the other person at risk of unwanted pregnancy and exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

In addition to state-level actions, Congress has also taken steps to address stealthing. In 2022, lawmakers introduced two important bills—the Stealthing Act of 2022 and the Consent Is Key Act—both of which aim to make it easier to prosecute stealthing on both federal and state levels, the Fairfax County website cites. These acts, if passed, would offer stronger legal protections for victims and help ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

To protect yourself from stealthing, it’s crucial to establish clear, explicit consent and communicate openly with your partner about boundaries and safe practices before engaging in sexual activity. Consider using a sexual consent contract, which can help ensure mutual understanding and agreement about condom use. If you suspect stealthing has occurred, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention to address any potential risks, including testing for STIs and discussing options for emergency contraception. Additionally, documenting the incident and reporting it to authorities can help hold offenders accountable and prevent future violations.

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