BDSM is not a practice to normalize sexual harassment

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES:

• Eastman-Mueller, H., Oswalt, S. B., & Nevers, J. M. (2021). Sexual diversity on college campuses: using a BDSM framework to discuss consent. Journal of American college health, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1905649
• Graham, B. C., Butler, S. E., McGraw, R., Cannes, S. M., & Smith, J. (2016). Member perspectives on the role of BDSM communities. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(8), 895-909. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2015.1067758
• Simard, D. (2015). La question du consentement sexuel: entre liberté individuelle et dignité humaine. Sexologies, 24(3), 140-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2015.05.003

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COMMENT:

First of all, we will define what this practice means. BDSM is a sexual activity that involves practices with physical restraints, control over other people, pain… In fact, each letter of this word means bondage, dominance and submission and sadomasochism.

What we have to take into consideration about this practice, is that, instead of focusing on how aggressive and dangerous these practices sound and are, we have to stress that these practices are totally consented.

The difference between sexual harassment and this practice, is that sexual harassment is a non-consented act where people are forced and cannot say not to do it because they have not chosen it or discussed about it. It is true that sexual harassment involves pain and domination, as well as BDSM practice, but people who are involved in this practice are concious of being treated this way and enjoy it.

This is so important when explaining to youth, because it can result in confusion to understand at first. An article that I found interesting was about the explanation of consent using these two themes in school. It is so important to deal with these kinds of themes in schools to be better educated and to explain the difference between what is conscious affirmation and what it is not. It is necessary to inculcate these meanings as soon as possible.

OTHER SOURCES: