FEMALE PERCEPTIONS OF HOLISTIC SAFETY IN KINK-BASED INTERACTIONS: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION

Abstract

Women’s sexuality has begun to be celebrated and explored with regards to how it empowers femininity in North America. This awakening extends beyond topics such as generalized and heteronormative sexuality and into the world of BDSM culture. Despite a culture that has grown to idolize and prescribe to components akin to BDSM, the continued stigmatization and biases about BDSM remain. One common facet that continues to lack exploration, however, is the notion of how and why women can find sexual empowerment, liberation, and safety in kink-based dynamics. My research explores how women perceive and understand holistic safety in kink-based interactions and how holistic safety contributes to a woman’s capacity to experience sexual liberation during BDSM practices. The discoveries found in this research will influence the ways in which dialogue and perspectives can positively impact intimate relationships, highlight the importance of gender-based empowerment, and expand harm-reduction approaches within the BDSM community.