The term BDSM, which is made up of the first letters of the English terms "Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, Sadism & Masochism", describes a very diverse group of mostly sexual behaviors associated with dominance and submission, playful punishment and pleasure pain or bondage games can be related.
Characteristics
All variants of BDSM have in common that those involved voluntarily move from their equality to a power imbalance. The submissive partner gives up a certain part of their autonomy and hands it over to the dominant partner (power exchange). Both parties involved gain pleasure from it. The dominant partner is also called Dom or Top, the submissive partner also Sub or Bottom.
BDSM acts usually take place during a fixed period of time in the form of erotic role play; a single BDSM game is called a session. Many of the practices practiced within BDSM, such as pain infliction, humiliation, or submission, would be perceived as uncomfortable without the connection to a specific sexual preference. Sexual intercourse such as oral, vaginal or anal intercourse can occur within a session, but is not essential.
The basis for practicing BDSM is that it is principally practiced by responsible partners, voluntarily and with mutual consent to a safe degree. These basic principles have been summarized under the English term "safe, sane and consensual" (SSC for short) since the 1990s. This means as much as "safely, with clear mind and in mutual agreement". The voluntariness, i.e. the consensus between those involved, distinguishes BDSM both legally and ethically from offenses or crimes against sexual self-determination.
Voluntariness is the decisive criterion in principle. Consent to a consensual sadomasochistic event can only be given by those who can adequately assess the consequences of their consent. The consenting party must have sufficient information and the necessary mental abilities to make a decision. In general, the consenting party must be free to revoke their consent at any time, for example with a previously agreed signal word, a so-called safe word.
