Molly's BDSM tips | What does PRICK mean?

Do you find the different BDSM safety terms confusing? This month our BDSM advice guru Molly answers one couple's kinky query: what does PRICK mean? Learn the difference between SSC, RACK and PRICK. 

Dear Molly, 
My partner and I went to a BDSM workshop about impact play. It was really good and we learned a lot, but the person who ran the session said they practised PRICK BDSM. We have looked it up but are now kind of confused about the difference between that and SSC and RACK. Which one is the right term to use? Can you help us?

Mr Safe

 

Dear Mr Safe,

I am delighted to hear that you have been to a BDSM workshop. Learning and gathering knowledge when it comes to kink exploration is such a key part of having fun and enjoyable BDSM experiences and obviously a big part of that is also the safety aspect. The acronym you mentioned, PRICK – and the other two – are essentially philosophies relating to the framework you approach the safety aspect of kink and BDSM play through. Let’s take a closer look at some of the BDSM safety terms that have developed over the years, including PRICK.

Safe, Sane and Consensual (SSC)

SSC is definitely seen as the original BDSM safety terminology. Those who follow or work within the SCC framework basically follow three simple questions:

• Is the activity safe to do?
• Is the activity the sane thing to do?
• Is everyone involved fully consenting?

Whilst SSC started off as a popular and fairly widely accepted tenant of kink play, over time people started to question its usefulness and found its simplicity problematic. For example, Is the activity safe to do? Many kink play activities are not inherently safe; they involve elements of risk ,and so for many people this question was not particular helpful as it failed to address that very important part of BDSM. What are the risks, do we know them, are we comfortable with them, etc.

Also, who defines sane? For one person, something might feel totally sane and for someone else it might not. The general vagueness of the SSC term meant that some folks decided something better was needed.

What is the meaning of PRICK? Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual Kink

Risk-Aware Consensual Kink (RACK)

Enter Risk-Aware Consensual Kink. In response to criticism of SCC and a general sense that it didn’t quite do the job it was designed to do, RACK emerged as an alternative that attempted to address things in a more specific way.

Are you aware of the risks involved in the kink activity and what have you done to manage them? 

Basically is everyone involved is fully aware of the potential risks involved in the activity.  It is a question designed to essentially push you into making a more in-depth assessment of risks and look at ways in which you can mitigate or even remove them. 

Is everyone involved in the activity/kink able to consent and consenting?

The idea of consent in RACK is essentially the same as in SSC but also the placement in the order of things is important, as you shouldn’t really consent unless you are risk-aware. Also, is everyone able to consent? Basically, are you of clear sound mind, ie, not drunk or drugged or incapacitated in some way?

Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual Kink (PRICK)

Of course, language is often not enough for what we want to say and things continue to evolve. The result of that is PRICK. Whilst RACK definitely covered more depth than SSC, for many people it still felt like something was missing, and so people came up with PRICK: Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual Kink.

Are you taking personal responsibility for your kink and your role in any kink/BDSM play?

Basically that all participants must take responsibility for their actions. Individuals should educate themselves, be honest about feelings and concerns, and that no matter the dynamic, everyone understands they have an active role to play in the scene/kink and enter into it having engaged in open and honest conversations.

“What does PRICK mean? It's essentially a philosophy relating to the framework you approach the safety aspect of kink and BDSM play through.”

Are you fully informed about the activity/play?  

Again, does everyone understand what they are agreeing too, including potential risks and how they might be mitigated?

Is everyone consenting?

And finally the thread that unites all of these acronyms and is surely the bedrock of all happy and healthy kink – consent. Is everyone able to consent and are they doing so? Always remembering that consent can change during play and should always be honored, no matter what.

So, which is the right BDSM term to use? 

There is no 'right' one. There are many people who still happily identify with operating under the SSC umbrella when it comes to their kink, and there are others who identify with RACK and PRICK. It really is about talking it through with your partner(s) and working out which one feels like the right philosophy for you both to use together.

The most important part if that you use them as a conversation starter and also as a thought exercise before jumping into any kink play: spending time thinking about the potential risk and educating yourself about best practises when it comes to various kink activities.

It can be easy to get bogged down in the nuance of things like this and feel like there must be one right way to explore kink and BDSM, but the fact is the way that is right is one that fits your beliefs. It’s possible that with time you may shift between them as you gain experiences and meet new people. 
 

The only right way is the one that works best for absolutely everyone involved in the relationship/scene or play, and like so much of kink, good honest communication is the bedrock of happy, joyful, healthy play. 
 

Good luck!
Molly x

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