This article is about the use of safewords in BDSM. For other uses, see Safeword (disambiguation).
In BDSM, a safeword is a code word, series of code words or other signal used by a person to communicate their physical or emotional state, typically when approaching, or crossing, a physical, emotional, or moral boundary.[1] Some safewords are used to stop the scene outright, while others can communicate a willingness to continue, but at a reduced level of intensity.
Safewords are usually agreed upon before playing a scene by all participants, and many organized BDSM groups have standard safewords that all members agree to use to avoid confusion at organized play events.[2] The most common safeword system is the "traffic light" system, in which "red" means "stop", "amber" or "yellow" means "proceed with caution", and "green" means "more, please!"[3]
Some couples may feel that they do not need a safeword, depending on the practices involved, since the role of a safeword is filled by usual forms of communication. Less commonly, some couples may agree to abandon the use of safewords including the ability to withdraw consent altogether, especially those that practice forms of edgeplay or those in Master/slave relationships. In such cases, the choice to give up the use of safewords is a consensual act on the part of the bottom or submissive. This practice is usually called consensual non-consent and often considered controversial.[4][5]
^"Beyond Safe Words: When Saying 'No' in BDSM Isn't Enough". Broadly. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
^Clark, Tracy (29 January 2012). "When safe words are ignored". Salon.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
^Gilmour, Paisley (17 September 2018). "Everything you need to know about using safewords". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
^Bauer, R. (28 October 2014). Queer BDSM Intimacies: Critical Consent and Pushing Boundaries. Springer. ISBN 9781137435026. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016 – via Google Books.
^David J. Ley (2 February 2021). "Consensual Non-Consent: Exploring Challenging Boundaries". Psychology Today. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
In BDSM, a safeword is a code word, series of code words or other signal used by a person to communicate their physical or emotional state, typically when...
through using a safeword. Within the BDSM community, it is generally considered a high risk activity to engage in BDSM without a safeword. Acts undertaken...
approximately 10% of adults have joined in some part of the sexual behavior. A safeword is usually given to the submissive partner to prevent the dominant from...
has also made guest appearances in TV programmes such as Drunk History, Safeword, Big Brother's Bit on the Side, Celebrity Wedding Planner, and Britain's...
League of Their Own, Mock the Week, Would I Lie to You?, QI, Just a Minute, Safeword, and Have I Got News for You. In 2015 she replaced Steve Jones as the presenter...
guest has made it all the way through. McKamey originally did not allow safewords for the tour, but has since reportedly allowed them, so guests have the...
"Pineapple" because it is a common safeword in the BDSM community, and she wanted the organization to be "a safeword for performers." Hay, Mark (27 January...
the title "Time To Reset". On 14 April 2020, they released the single "Safeword", which was accompanied by a music video, filmed over FaceTime, due to...
superbly written". In July 2015, Edwards began presenting ITV2 panel show, Safeword which returned for a second series in 2016. Edwards currently hosts the...
made guest appearances on Big Brother's Bit on the Side, This Morning, Safeword, Celebrity Dinner Date, Murder in Successville, Most Annoying People 2011...
information (the extent to which the scene will go, potential risks, if a safeword will be used, what that is, and so on) at hand and the necessary mental...
22 July Life on Marbs ITVBe 23 July Real Stories with Ranvir Singh ITV Safeword ITV2 The Wonder of Britain ITV 27 July Guess This House ITV Hello Campers...
Pride flag Limits Munch Pegging Play Play party Risk-aware consensual kink Safeword Sexual fetishism Sexual roleplay Top, bottom, switch Writers Laura Antoniou...
Himself/Host Main host 2017 Oprah's Master Class Himself Episode: "Kevin Hart" SafeWord Himself Episode: "Kevin Hart vs. Damien Dante Wayans" Saturday Mash-Up...
New Comedy Series Safeword, Today". Broadway World. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017. "SafeWord". www.facebook.com...
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