Variable riskSexual practices

Sexual practices: emotional and relational care

Guide to sexual practices involving power dynamics and emotional bonds (D/s, Master/Slave, Humiliation, Degradee, Primal, Age Play, Brat), with levels of care and harm reduction strategies.

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Emotional and relational care

These practices involve power dynamics, emotions, and relationships. Communication, consent, and mutual care are fundamental.

Levels of care

  • Basic care: general information and clear agreements.
  • Intermediate care: specific knowledge and ongoing communication.
  • Specialised care: prior training and gradual practice.
  • Specific training recommended: specialised education and safety protocols.

1. Domination and submission (D/s)

Consensual exchange of authority, control, or service between people.

  • Main type of care: consent and communication
  • Level of care: intermediate
  • Recommended skills: negotiation, clear communication, recognising limits, aftercare.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, methamphetamine.
  • Potential risks: confusion about limits, unrecognised pressure or coercion, relational misunderstandings.
  • Harm reduction strategies: explicit agreements, regular check-ins, safewords.

2. Master/Slave

Structured power exchange sustained through previously negotiated agreements.

  • Main type of care: relational care
  • Level of care: specialised
  • Recommended skills: building trust, deep communication, periodic review of agreements.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol and GHB/GBL.
  • Potential risks: unwanted dependence, difficulty renegotiating agreements.
  • Harm reduction strategies: regular review spaces and ongoing consent.

3. Humiliation play

Consensual use of symbolic humiliation as part of erotic play.

  • Main type of care: emotional care
  • Level of care: specialised
  • Recommended skills: emotional communication, knowledge of personal triggers, aftercare.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, methamphetamine.
  • Potential risks: unwanted shame, intense emotional activation.
  • Harm reduction strategies: detailed negotiation and post-scene debriefing.

4. Degradee play

Consensual play based on degrading language or dynamics agreed in advance.

  • Main type of care: emotional care
  • Level of care: specialised
  • Recommended skills: distinguishing fantasy from real harm, ongoing communication.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol and GHB/GBL.
  • Potential risks: emotional discomfort, confusion about limits.
  • Harm reduction strategies: safewords and structured aftercare.

5. Primal play

Play based on chasing, struggle, hunting, or instinctive bodily expression.

  • Main type of care: emotional and physical regulation
  • Level of care: intermediate
  • Recommended skills: reading body cues, non-verbal communication, emotional regulation.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
  • Potential risks: unintentional escalation, accidental injury.
  • Harm reduction strategies: prior agreements and safe spaces for the practice.

6. Age play

Role play in which people represent ages different from their real ones within a consensual fantasy.

  • Main type of care: emotional care
  • Level of care: intermediate
  • Recommended skills: clear communication, distinguishing fantasy from reality.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol and GHB/GBL.
  • Potential risks: relational misunderstandings, emotional discomfort.
  • Harm reduction strategies: prior agreements and a conversation afterwards about the experience.

7. Brat / Brat Tamer

Dynamic in which one person consensually challenges another person’s authority as part of erotic play.

  • Main type of care: communication and negotiation
  • Level of care: intermediate
  • Recommended skills: humour, clear communication, and negotiation skills.
  • Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol and stimulants.
  • Potential risks: escalation of conflict, misinterpretation.
  • Harm reduction strategies: define clearly which behaviours are part of the game.

Emotions need care too. Trust, communication, negotiation, and ongoing consent are essential tools for building pleasurable, safer, and satisfying experiences.

Aftercare: whenever possible

Aftercare helps process emotions, reconnect, and strengthen bonds after the practice.