|  |     In any 
        relationship these things can happen: Sexual, Physical, Emotional, Financial, 
        Verbal and Mental ABUSE. Inside the home when someone tries to control 
        you by bullying, bashing, threatening, name calling, harassing, frightening 
        and isolating you, it is called DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. This behavior is not 
        acceptable. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Abusive 
        relationships go through stages. There is a period where tension builds 
        up. It's like walking on eggshells all the time. You are extremely careful 
        to make everything right - but no matter what you do, the abuser still 
        finds something to go off about. An abusive event happens. Then follows 
        a period free of violence - the honeymoon phase. The abuser is sorry, 
        making promises not to do it again, and maybe buying gifts for you. You 
        become hopeful that this time the abuser really means it. However the 
        tension starts to build again and the cycle gets repeated. We know that 
        over time, the violence will get worse and the abuse will happen more 
        often. The fairest way to stop the cycle and the abuse is for the abuser 
        to change. But mostly the abused have to stop it by leaving the relationship.NO EXCUSES. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE ABUSED.
 
  So how 
        can you tell if it is abuse? If any 
        of the following is happening, you are probably being abused. 1. You are scared or frightened...of someone who lives or has lived with 
        you?
 2. You are being put down by someone who says they "love" you?
 3. Are you always being told you are stupid; that it's your fault; that 
        if you had not done something, you wouldn't have been hit, that no one 
        would be mad at you?
 4. Do you feel you can't have your friends around because you're not sure 
        how your partner will handle it, or because your partner embarrasses you?
 5. Do you always feel tired, worn out and confused?
 6. Is your partner sometimes nice for a while, then the tension and violence 
        starts again?
 7. Do you feel like you are living with a "Jekyll and Hyde" 
        - one "face" for others and one for you?
 8. Do you dream that your partner will soon die and it will all stop?
 9. Are you no longer sure of what's going on in your life?
 You don't need to experience all of these to be abused. If some of these 
        things are happening - you are at risk. Go and talk to someone about it.
 Remember 
        everything we do in this lifestyle is CONSENSUAL; if it isn't CONSENSUAL 
        on your part, it is ABUSE. Pure and simple, no grey areas, if something 
        is happening which you have not given your consent, and doesn't stop when 
        requested, it is ABUSE.  There is 
        no divine Dominant's right, or, in some cases, submissive's right, to 
        ABUSE. And the old "You aren't a good submissive if you don't...." 
        , "You are a weak submissive if you....", "If you aren't 
        a true submissive because...." DON'T APPLY.  When it 
        comes to something which you don't feel comfortable, something you specifically 
        negotiated not to be part of your submission and/or something you haven't 
        consented to, it becomes ABUSE. Run don't walk to the nearest exit.  Abusers 
        have a happy knack of making you feel it is YOUR fault. You are the one 
        to blame. IT IS NEVER YOUR FAULT. AND YOU ARE BLAMELESS. You have the 
        right as a human being to be treated with respect, to retain your self-worth 
        and your dignity.  More's 
        the pity but there seems to be an element who assume a submissive has 
        absolutely no rights whatsoever and this is totally and utterly wrong. 
        You have the right to say NO whenever it suits you as does the Dominant 
        and that right MUST be accepted and honored. Say NO to ABUSE and say it 
        loud.CRIMSONLORD
 Abuse 
        Links from CrimsonLord  
        Abuse? 
          What is Abuse? 
         
          A thoughtful 
            essay, with some questions that attempt to define what is abuse within 
            a BDSM context. This essay came out of a dear friend's irc channel 
            #bdsm on Austnet and is and was the collective work of a lot of discussion 
            by some experienced BDSM Lifestyler's. How to tell if you are being 
            abused or abusing someone. How to tell someone you think they are 
            suffering or committing abuse, and what to do about it...and...How 
            to deal with someone telling you they think you are suffering or committing 
            abuse, and you don't think they are right.  
          Abuse: 
          A Common Link? 
         
          An 
            insightful look at a serious issue in D/s relationships. Help for 
            dealing with the ghosts from our pasts.  
        Abusers 
          Amongst Us 
         
          physical, 
            emotional and mental abusersAdult 
          Survivors of Child Abuse 
         
          Sponsored 
            by The Morris Center, ASCA is a support group/recovery and prevention 
            program in the Greater Bay Area for those who have been abused emotionally, 
            sexually, and/or physically.   Organized within a low-cost framework, 
            it offers meetings, workshops, presentations, socials, trainings, 
            discussion groups, and a guidebook to healing, Survivor to 
            Thriver, available only through the Morris Center.AltSex:BDSM:SM 
          is not Abuse 
         
          A statement 
            by the Lesbian Mafia outlining the differences between SM and abuse. 
        BDSM 
          and Child Abuse 
         
          Does 
            being abused as a child equal submission as an adult? An interesting 
            editorial on the subject.CyberAngels 
          Internet Safety Organization 
          
        Flashbacks 
          and Scenes 
         
          A submissive's 
            handling sexual abuse flashbacks during BDSM scenes. According to 
            this article, flashbacks can occur while one is recovering from past 
            abuse. Read about flashbacks and how to deal with them. 
        Is 
          SM abusive? Were most SM people abused? 
         
          From 
            the soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm FAQ, this page deals with misconceptions 
            about BDSM and leatherfolk stereotypes. It also includes information 
            on domestic violence and abuse from the Leather/Fetish Celebration 
            Committee. 
        
        Safe 
          Link 
         
          is 
            a clearinghouse for materials and questions about domestic violence, 
            specifically for the leather-fetish community. Safe Link, c/o Domestic 
            Violence Education Project National Leather Association, 3439 NE Sandy 
            Blvd, #155 Portland, OR  97232Safe 
          Sane and Consensual? 
         
          Tips 
            on abusive D/s relationships and how to avoid them. Includes a list 
            of warning signs for potential physical danger.SM 
          vs. Abuse 
         
          From 
            Jay Wiseman's SM 101, an examination of the differences between 
            BDSM and abuse, along with a list of warning signs and an explanation 
            of the "cycle of violence." 
        The 
          Connection Between Kink and Abuse 
         
          Bob 
            King contends that there is a large overlap between the communities 
            of abuse survivors and BDSMers. You may not agree with his statements 
            or his conclusions, but this is interesting reading nonetheless.  
          
          
        Top 
          Abuse: Is It Possible? 
         
          An 
            article from the 4/98 issue of "Short Licks" written by Tanith 
            Tyrr.Violence 
          Against Women Office 
         
          U.S. 
            Government Referral of Resources.vixen's 
          Playhouse 
         
          Another 
            good comparison between abuse and BDSM. Includes a list of symptoms 
            of abuse both past and present, and some very wise words about support.WHOA: 
          Women Halting Online Abuse 
         
          Dedicated 
            to eradicating online stalking. Good resource for those who have run 
            into this problem.Why 
          BDSM Relationships Are Not Abuse 
         
          Another 
            examination of the differences between BDSM and abuse.         |