The other night I was approached by a very confused and frightened girl. She had recently met a Master on an online site and made the decision to give up everything to go live with him in Real Life. Her friends had become alarmed at some of the things she was telling them about this new acquaintance and the girl had begun to wonder if she was making a mistake. I learned later on in the conversation that some of the friends were actually involved in the D/s community which gave their concerns even more weight in her eyes.
She took her concerns to her new Master and he seemed less than sympathetic, instead making it seem like she wasn't committed enough for him. And her questions about some of the things he had proposed doing to her unworthy of his comment. Some of the things she described were alarming, but, who can tell whether they were the posturings of a newbie Master or someone seriously unhinged.
Following some recent events, I had looked into the BDSM vs. Abuse question myself and was able to give her some suggestions on reading material. One of the things was the table I've reproduced below, it was on a website with one of those annoying jiggly "you've just won an ipad, click here" ads that make me want to leave right away before someone gets my info and spams me into next Tuesday. Here's the address, there is more info there...the table is just too good not to pass on.
Another site that I've found thought provoking and helpful can be found here. Kinkylittlegirl, the author, indicates that the site has morphed from being just about BDSM into one that looks at all types of abuse. The sections on BDSM are full of links to informed and on point commentary on the subject, tables like the one below are not uncommon. Visit her site and read her interesting articles and give the links a close look...
One of her recent posts might give you pause, When is abuse not abuse?
You'll find lots of places to get advice and fetish friendly help on the net. Have a critical eye, but, Read, Read, Read...If you like print, one of the most helpful books out there about all things BDSM and an excellent starting point is Jay Wiseman's SM101, it's available from many booksellers, his publisher's siteGreenery Press even as an e-book from Amazon. His isn't the only book, but, it opens with some great advice about D/s relationships and emphasizes communication and consent then continues on with some practical advice.
Help with this issue is available in a number of Discussion Groups inside of Fetlife. You will need to sign up for Fetlife to participate, but, it's free and an excellent source of all things fetish FetLife.
Finally, What has this got to do with Second Life? People visit the BDSM community in Second Life hoping to find something that either enhances their real life or to explore something they feel they are missing or something they are anxious to try. Granted some of the people we meet are strictly here for roleplay, but, if they take their role seriously, we hope that they have some real life experience or at the very least pledge to do no harm.
We cannot take a cavalier approach to what we do. The avatar opposite has a real live person at the other end. At the very least you might ruin their experience and at the worst you could cause some real psychological harm to an already fragile psyche.
If you are a submissive in Second Life and you see these things happening to you, protest, ask the abuser to stop. It's your responsibility to yourself. Don't argue with them, they aren't worth the trouble and upset. Unfortunate as it is, in a way you're lucky...you can log off, get out of there and avoid that person in future. Don't feel that you have to put up with abuse, it's not your fault, no matter how much the abuser may want you to think it is.
BDSM
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ABUSE
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A BDSM relationship
starts with a friendship, love and concern. You care for each other's
happiness. All involved will feel good and will be happy, no one is sorry.
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In an abusive
relationship someone is always sorry, someone is always hurt. The only happiness
is that of the abuser - the abuser cares about their own happiness, and the
victim is most concerned with keeping the abuser happy to avoid more / worse
abuse.
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BDSM is Consensual
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The abuser isn't
concerned with having permission they just do whatever they desire.
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Submission is a
gift that is given to the Dominant. The submissive chooses to obey, to give
up control and keep choosing from moment to moment; day to day. The choice
can be taken back at any time.
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When the submission
is taken / forced it becomes abuse. It is no longer submission and the
individual becomes a victim. In an abusive situation there is no choice, you
obey to keep peace and in the hope not to get hurt worst.
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The Dominant
creates a desire to serve out of love - they don't want the submissive to
fear them. They are respectful, polite, caring, giving and kind.
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An abuser forces
the submission though fear and degrading an individual so they can feel
strong and important. Demanding the submission one becomes a victim not a
sub.
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You are partners
working as a team caring very much about the other's happiness and well being
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The abuser isn't
concerned about how the other feels or their well being.
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BDSM is controlled
- Negotiations are done to assure all involved are comfortable with what will
be happening and there are no fears.
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Abuse is out of
control no one knows what will happen. There is no shared plan the abuser
makes the decisions without any negotiations.
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Limits are set to
assure that it doesn't go any futher than is safe.
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No limits are set
to take into consideration what the victim wants or values.
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The Dominant is
very careful to make sure the sub feels safe and happy, and keeps them
feeling that way. The Dominant takes the responsibility to assure the happiness
and safety of a sub.
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An abuser is
neither.
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Safe words/colors
are chosen to stop the scene or let the individual know it is getting close
to being too much.
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No safety net at
all, the abuser is feeding on fear to control the victim - they don't care if
it pushes too far. The abuser is the only one that chooses when it is enough;
the victim has no choice.
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Precautions are
taken so there are no injury physically or mentally.
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In an Abusive
situation the victim is left hurt either physically or mentally.
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Most individuals
involved in BDSM will be careful enter a scene without alcohol/drugs or
emotional upset impairing their judgment.
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An abuser isn't
concerned if judgement is impaired by drugs or alcohol or emotional upset.
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The submissive is
responsible for her own happiness in life, but during a scene, the
responsibility is the Dominant's. The Dominant teaches the sub to be strong.
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If humiliation is
involved in a BDSM relationship it is done out of pride - they are proud to
show the sub off in public, proud they are their slut. The sub won't feel bad
about the words and/or actions they will make the sub blush but they are
excited and pleased.
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In an abusive
relationship the humiliation is done in a degrading manner to make someone
feel worthless so the Abuser can be the number One in the relationship - they
will insult the looks, the way things are performed or do something in public
not for pleasure but to show they are in control. The words or actions hurt.
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