Quote:
Originally posted by
~LaUr3n~
I honestly feel that there is no such thing. It's either rape or it isn't. You can't play rape because rape is not enjoyable. Rape lacks a specific element of consent. If you allow someone to "rape" you...it isn't
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I honestly feel that there is no such thing. It's either rape or it isn't. You can't play rape because rape is not enjoyable. Rape lacks a specific element of consent. If you allow someone to "rape" you...it isn't "rape". Even if you purposefully put yourself in a situation because you have a desire to be taken advantage of...it isn't rape because you are putting yourself out there in the first place. I have been sexual assaulted more than once and this is where my strong feelings about this come from. I'm sorry if I angered anyone. I consider this type of play extreme dominance.
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Right. That is why, in the D/S community, these types of scenes are called "Ravishment Play" This implies consent, as well as the desire to be dominated, while still staying on control (I am such a "Topper from the Bottom", but that's what works for us.
) Also, this type of scene is definitely NOT for everybody, for a lot of different reasons.
It takes a certain trust in a couple to Play in this manner, and you two have to Trust each other implicitly, and imo really should have worked out any and all sexual issues from childhood, bad relationships, horrible memories etc BEFORE engaging in Ravishment Play, but even some of us who have had "bad" things happen to use in the past (mostly in childhood, in my case) put those things in the past, have healed and have moved on to enjoy this type of play quite a bit.
In my experience, when the healing was working and I REFUSED to consider myself either a "Victim" or even a "Survivor" I felt much more in control of my sexuality. (Because labels of both "Victim" and "Survivor" require one to still let the assaulter have power over one, and it's OVER and letting that bastard who hurt me STILL have an impact on my adult sex life is letting him win. So, in my mind, body and soul I'm not a "Victim" nor am I "A survivor." Some bad shit just happened to me, it wasn't my fault, I worked to get over it, and I refuse to allow it to effect my present day, consensual, active sex life. (From where I sit, which may be VERY different from someone who is in a different situation, or hasn't healed all the way yet, or is still suffering abreactions etc, it may feel differently, and that's totally OK.)
I've found the Ravishment Play to actually help me stay centered and sexually healthy. I KNOW I am in control of such scenes, and I enjoy them a lot. Having actual "Bottom Control" over such scenes can be VERY empowering, but I think one has to be ready to such play (there is no way I could have done these things, say, 20 years ago, too close for comfort) and one has to be able to let go of the labels, which isn't always a choice. It takes time and effort to do that, and it also depends on other factors when and how one heals and leaves behind awful past situations, and refuses to then allow them to tread on present sexual enjoyment. It isn't easy, and everyone heals slightly differently, I found finding a therapist WHO didn't focus on the abuse exclusively, really helpful. Some therapist seem more focused on YOUR abuse than you are, and that isn't healthy. Your mileage and all that....
Lauren, I completely understand your reluctance and agree that actually not having control is COMPLETELY different than Power Play, in which the Bottom usually has MORE actual power than the Top. The Bottom is the one who HAS TO ALLOW, has to agree, has to Consent, and often sets the scene in more ways than one. Even when your Top sets the scene he or she should know you well enough to know the Power Pattern which works best for both of you. In my situation, My Man often is occasionally afraid of actually hurting me (which is isn't going to do) and I have actully had to comfort him and let him know that "this is OK" and then he can enjoy it as much. It can get VERY complicated, and I certainly understand that not everyone is going to enjoy such Play. Also, having a partner who can "read" you well is important to me. My Man knows the difference between a "Play" "Oh God, Stop!" and a different reaction to a real, not wanted action "Wait, stop that!" and can respond IMMEDIATELY because we know each other so well. THAT, in my mind makes all the difference. Different strokes.....We've actually gotten to the point where a "safe word" isn't necessary, because we know each other's reaction so well, but I WOULD NOT recommend this (going without a safe word) unless you REALLY know your partner and Trust is Total.
I certainly understand ANYONE who isn't comfortable with such play, and I think if someone feels uncomfortable with Ravishment Play for ANY reason, it is not the time the place or the person to be engaging in such intense sex play.
Safe, Sane and Consensual are the key factors.