SSC BDSM – Safe, Sane, Consensual

by LeatherBigWolf | May 21, 2024 | The BDSM Lifestyle, Glossary | 0 comments

Written by: LeatherBigWolf

Last updated on 06/07/2024 by LeatherBigWolf

Home / The BDSM Lifestyle / Glossary / SSC BDSM – Safe, Sane, Consensual

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SSC stands for Safe, Sane and Consensual, which are the cornerstones of Ethical BDSM.

Table of Contents

Safe: Prioritizing Protection and Precaution

Even if nowadays it’s 90% a (dangerous) matter of online popularity and “content making“, safety in BDSM is paramount. This principle ensures the minimization of risks through the use of safe words in public or loud settings, or when the two parties don’t have a permanent relationships going where safewords can be bypassed.

Another example is avoiding particularly dangerous areas (like impact play on the chest or kidneys, as an example), and maintaining a clear understanding among all participants.

This is achieved by having a healthy and open communication throughout the whole experience, and most importantly, a consent negotiation session before any BDSM starts.

It is essential that everyone involved is knowledgeable and comfortable with the activities being performed. In my experience, that’s why Masters have to go trough an extensive training before handling submissives.

Sane: Clarity and Sound Judgment

Engaging in BDSM requires a clear mind and sound judgment. Participants, and especially Doms and Masters, must be free from the influence of substances that could impair their decision-making abilities.

This ensures that all actions taken are deliberate, controlled, and reflect a sane state of mind.

This is why Chemsex is a terrible plague in our community, and why it’s shocking that nobody is taking it seriously enough.

Consensual: The Bedrock of Trust and Respect

Consent is the bedrock upon which all BDSM activities are built. That’s exactly what differentiates healthy BDSM from abuse. It must be explicit, informed, and enthusiastic, reflecting a mutual agreement to engage in the activities.

Consent is not just a one-time check but a continuous, communicative process ensuring all participants feel safe, respected, and happy.

BDSM and Mental Health

Did you know that historically, BDSM was viewed through a stigmatized lens and classified as a paraphilic disorder. However, significant progress was made in 2013 when the American Psychiatric Association (APA) revised the DSM-5.

This revision recognized that consensual BDSM activities, which do not cause significant distress or impairment, are not inherently pathological. This change has been crucial in destigmatizing BDSM, acknowledging it as a valid expression of human sexuality when practiced consensually and ethically.

picture of Master Lupus and another Leatherman holding a sign to celebrate the removal of SSC BDSM from the DSM list in Berlin, 2018

picture of Master Lupus and another Leatherman holding a sign to celebrate the removal of BDSM from the DSM list in Berlin, 2018

The Impact of the DSM-5 Revision

The DSM-5’s reclassification was a landmark moment for us, reflecting a broader understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual expressions. With their removal of BDSM from the list of psychiatric illnesses, the APA helped validate the experiences of many individuals, promoting a more inclusive and respectful view of sexual diversity.

Why is SSC particularly important today

Clearly adhering to the principles of Safe, Sane, and Consensual into BDSM practices fosters a culture of responsibility, respect, and mutual enjoyment. These aspects are, in my experience, completely lacking in today’s scene. I’m not saying there are no longer experienced BDSM players who take BDSM seriously. But the number of people improvising BDSM and D/S practices and ways, with zero knwoledge of what they are doing and most importantly, zero care for the possible outcomes, has grown exponentially when BDSM turned into a prete-a-portaire fashion item to sport on social media.

BDSM is something precious and powerful, and SSC is the only way to go. It’s about creating a space where all participants can explore their desires safely and consensually, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Written by: LeatherBigWolf

LeatherBigWolf, 1989. Introduced to the Leather Lifestyle and Sexuality by its husband in 2008, has immediately recognized the deeper connection to what was called the Old Guard Leather Culture and Lifestyle. Since then it became his only way of engaging with Men and Manhood, trying to inspire and educate as many as possible by sharing his own lifestyle, adventures and thoughts on this website. Founder and Creative Director of Old Guard Leathermen.