Sexual slavery (BDSM)
Encyclopedia
As it pertains to BDSM
, slavery refers to a dominant person owning a submissive person as their property. It is a consensual exchange of power
between individuals. The use of the term 'sex slave' rather than just 'slave' is sometimes used to differentiate between consensual slavery and non-consensual slavery
, because sex is not a necessary component of consensual slavery. Not all submissives are slaves, though all slaves would normally be considered submissive in the relationship. Sex slaves, and their owners, can be of any gender, sexual identity, or orientation.
The types of activities entered into are usually well defined in advance and sometimes spelled out in a slave contract
, a non-legally binding document that outlines the desires, limits, and expectations of all involved. Slaves can and are often expected to perform sexually, though typically many relationship-oriented dynamics are also clearly negotiated, including clothing, diet, speech restrictions, household affairs and schedules. Typically outlined are clear expectations of whether the couple will be monogamous or polyamorous
, and if there would be permission/expectations of sexual interaction with other people. Otherwise, a sex slave is often expected to perform many of the same functions that are expected of a slave/submissive, including wearing very revealing clothes, being shared, collar
and/or leash, S&M activities
, or bondage
.
The duration of this ownership may vary anywhere from a few minutes, as in a scene, to a lifetime commitment. Slaves may be traded by their masters, enabled by sex club events, personals in BDSM interest magazines or internet based social networks. The owner might be any person or group, though the majority of such relationships are usually either one dominant, or a committed dominant couple owning one or more slaves. Commonly, an owned slave is also said to be a collared slave, though not every slave wears a physical collar
. A slave who has satisfied the duration of the negotiated time of service is expected to be released, unless a new duration of service is negotiated. At any time, the slave has the right to revoke their legal consent to the relationship; effectively nullifying their status as a slave.
Generally the expectation with a slave are greater, and less subject to the whim of the slave than with a submissive. A slave has agreed to serve and obey and does not need to make a decision each time. Although expectations may be spelled out in a contract, they are frequently very broad, and give tremendous room for the dominant to direct the slave.
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
, slavery refers to a dominant person owning a submissive person as their property. It is a consensual exchange of power
Power exchange (BDSM)
In BDSM, the term power exchange refers to a relationship or activity in which the submissive gives to the dominant partner power and authority over the submissive's body in exchange for the submissive's happiness and health...
between individuals. The use of the term 'sex slave' rather than just 'slave' is sometimes used to differentiate between consensual slavery and non-consensual slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, because sex is not a necessary component of consensual slavery. Not all submissives are slaves, though all slaves would normally be considered submissive in the relationship. Sex slaves, and their owners, can be of any gender, sexual identity, or orientation.
The types of activities entered into are usually well defined in advance and sometimes spelled out in a slave contract
Contract (BDSM)
In BDSM, a contract is an agreement, usually written, between the dominant and submissive in a 24/7 or Total Power Exchange relationship. It is the formal act of consent to the power exchange....
, a non-legally binding document that outlines the desires, limits, and expectations of all involved. Slaves can and are often expected to perform sexually, though typically many relationship-oriented dynamics are also clearly negotiated, including clothing, diet, speech restrictions, household affairs and schedules. Typically outlined are clear expectations of whether the couple will be monogamous or polyamorous
Polyamory
Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved....
, and if there would be permission/expectations of sexual interaction with other people. Otherwise, a sex slave is often expected to perform many of the same functions that are expected of a slave/submissive, including wearing very revealing clothes, being shared, collar
Collar (BDSM)
In a BDSM context, a collar is a device of any material placed around the neck of the submissive partner. It is also a term used to show ownership of one partner by another. A person wearing a collar to symbolize their relationship with another is said to be collared...
and/or leash, S&M activities
Sadism and masochism
Sadomasochism broadly refers to the receiving of pleasure—often sexual—from acts involving the infliction or reception of pain or humiliation. The name originates from two authors on the subject, Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch...
, or bondage
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
.
The duration of this ownership may vary anywhere from a few minutes, as in a scene, to a lifetime commitment. Slaves may be traded by their masters, enabled by sex club events, personals in BDSM interest magazines or internet based social networks. The owner might be any person or group, though the majority of such relationships are usually either one dominant, or a committed dominant couple owning one or more slaves. Commonly, an owned slave is also said to be a collared slave, though not every slave wears a physical collar
Collar (BDSM)
In a BDSM context, a collar is a device of any material placed around the neck of the submissive partner. It is also a term used to show ownership of one partner by another. A person wearing a collar to symbolize their relationship with another is said to be collared...
. A slave who has satisfied the duration of the negotiated time of service is expected to be released, unless a new duration of service is negotiated. At any time, the slave has the right to revoke their legal consent to the relationship; effectively nullifying their status as a slave.
Generally the expectation with a slave are greater, and less subject to the whim of the slave than with a submissive. A slave has agreed to serve and obey and does not need to make a decision each time. Although expectations may be spelled out in a contract, they are frequently very broad, and give tremendous room for the dominant to direct the slave.
See also
- BDSMBDSMBDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
- Collar (BDSM)Collar (BDSM)In a BDSM context, a collar is a device of any material placed around the neck of the submissive partner. It is also a term used to show ownership of one partner by another. A person wearing a collar to symbolize their relationship with another is said to be collared...
- Consent (BDSM)Consent (BDSM)Consent within BDSM is an issue that attracts much attention in the field. Practitioners' interests are in ensuring appropriate consent for personal, ethical, and legal reasons...
- Dominance & submission
- Power exchange (BDSM)Power exchange (BDSM)In BDSM, the term power exchange refers to a relationship or activity in which the submissive gives to the dominant partner power and authority over the submissive's body in exchange for the submissive's happiness and health...
- Roleplaying
- Sadism and masochismSadism and masochismSadomasochism broadly refers to the receiving of pleasure—often sexual—from acts involving the infliction or reception of pain or humiliation. The name originates from two authors on the subject, Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch...