Risk-aware consensual kink

Risk-aware consensual kink (often abbreviated as RACK) is a term used in the BDSM community to form a philosophical view that is generally permissive of certain risky sexual behaviors, as long as the participants are fully aware of the risks. This is contrasted with SSC, which is viewed as a more traditional guideline for BDSM activities.

Philosophy

The philosophy of RACK is based on the principle that everyone involved in a BDSM activity should be fully aware of the risks involved, and should consent to those risks. This includes understanding the potential physical and emotional consequences of the activity. The emphasis is on informed consent, rather than on safety per se.

Comparison with SSC

While both RACK and SSC promote the idea of consent in BDSM activities, there are some key differences between the two philosophies. SSC emphasizes safety and sanity in addition to consent, while RACK focuses more on awareness of risk and informed consent. Some people in the BDSM community prefer RACK because they believe it is more realistic and honest about the nature of BDSM activities, which can be inherently risky.

Criticism

Critics of RACK argue that it can be used to justify dangerous or harmful behaviors in the name of consent. They argue that just because someone consents to a risky activity, it doesn't necessarily make that activity ethical or safe. Critics also point out that informed consent can be difficult to ensure, particularly in situations where there is a power imbalance between the participants.

See also

• BDSM
• Safe, sane, and consensual
• Negotiation (BDSM)
• Aftercare (BDSM)