A recent article published in the Sex and Marriage Therapy Journal The study explores the relationship between BDSM and child sexual abuse (CSA). The findings suggest that for some people, BDSM can serve as a means of processing and healing from past trauma. But it also carries risks of retraumatization.
Child sexual exploitation affects millions of children worldwide. The World Health Organization defines child sexual exploitation as the involvement of a child in sexual activity that the child cannot fully understand or consent to. It often involves an abuse of power and trust by an adult or older child. The psychological consequences of child sexual exploitation are profound and long-lasting, often extending into adulthood. Survivors often suffer from severe anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and low self-esteem.
BDSM refers to a variety of practices and role-play involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism. These activities are characterized by consensual power dynamics and often involve the use of pain to enhance sexual gratification. Central to the ethical practices of BDSM is the principle of mutual consent, where all participants agree to the boundaries and activities involved.
“Our interest grew out of our clinical practice with survivors and the questions raised by professionals who wonder how to respond to BDSM practices in trauma survivors,” says Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, a senior faculty member at the University of Haifa School of Social Work and a certified sexologist.
“We are interested in better understanding the unconscious mechanisms that may be at play and the potential therapeutic functions of BDSM practices in ASM survivors. Given the profound and long-lasting effects of ASM, it is essential to explore all possible avenues for healing and treating trauma, including those that are less conventional and more stigmatized.”
After reviewing previous studies, the researchers found that while some evidence suggests a higher prevalence of trauma among BDSM practitioners, the evidence is conflicting. Some studies indicate that people who practice BDSM have similar PTSD and trauma scores to the general population. For example, a study of Australian respondents found no significant relationship between BDSM practices and experiences of sexual abuse.
Another study of participants in Finnish BDSM clubs showed a higher prevalence of sexual abuse compared to the general population, but the majority of BDSM practitioners did not report such a history. This suggests that while a subset of BDSM practitioners may have experienced trauma, it is not a defining characteristic for most individuals in the community.
For some victims of child sexual abuse, BDSM may allow them to regain control and rethink their traumatic experiences, the researcher noted. Through the principles of safe, healthy and consensual practices, BDSM allows victims to set boundaries, negotiate power dynamics and explore their bodies in a controlled and consensual environment.
This can lead to a form of trauma play in which survivors deliberately revisit their trauma from a position of strength and agency. The process involves rehearsal and rewriting, where negative emotions associated with past trauma are transformed into pleasant sensations and feelings of mastery.
On the other hand, researchers have also studied scenarios in which BDSM practices might replicate traumatic experiences for victims of child sexual abuse. They found that the intense power dynamics and physical sensations inherent in BDSM can sometimes mirror the traumatic experiences of abuse.
For example, consensual role play involving control and submission can evoke memories of past nonconsensual situations, leading to psychological harm. Additionally, if BDSM activities do not strictly adhere to the boundaries of consent, survivors may have difficulty asserting their boundaries, which can lead to renewed feelings of helplessness and violation.
The researchers noted that dissociation, a common coping mechanism among trauma survivors, may be invoked during BDSM activities, further complicating an individual’s ability to distinguish between consensual play and past abuse. Dissociation is a psychological coping mechanism in which an individual detaches from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity to distance themselves from overwhelming experiences. So while BDSM may be empowering for some, it can also inadvertently retraumatize others.
The article points out that “the relationship between BDSM and CSA is multifaceted and complex,” Gewirtz-Meydan told PsyPost. “BDSM practices can potentially serve as a way for trauma survivors to regain control, explore boundaries, and reshape their relationship with their bodies in a consensual and safe environment. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution and should be approached with careful thought and professional guidance.”
These findings should be interpreted with caution and considered preliminary insights into a complex and evolving field due to several factors. First, existing research on the relationship between BDSM and CSA is sparse and often inconsistent, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.
“However, it is important to note the lack of sufficient empirical data to robustly support the proposed clinical perspectives,” Gewirtz-Meydan said. “Different definitions and interpretations of BDSM add to the complexity, and the motivations of ASM survivors who engage in BDSM are not fully understood. Additionally, there is little research on the potential risks and potential for retraumatization for ASM survivors who engage in BDSM practices.”
Even so, the study highlights the importance for clinicians to approach the topic of BDSM with care and not automatically treat it as something abnormal or wrong.
“It is critical that clinicians approach this topic with sensitivity and avoid pathologizing BDSM practices,” Gewirtz-Meydan said. “Understanding the therapeutic potential of BDSM and encouraging open, nonjudgmental conversations about it can help destigmatize and empower trauma survivors.”
“Our long-term goals include conducting more comprehensive empirical studies to understand the different trajectories that may lead survivors of child sexual abuse to engage in BDSM and the impacts of these practices. We hope to provide clearer clinical guidelines for therapists working with survivors who are prone to BDSM and explore the broader applications of BDSM as a potential therapeutic tool for various types of trauma.”
The study, “The Complex Interplay Between BDSM and Child Sexual Abuse: A Form of Repetition and Dissociation or a Path to Treatment and Healing?”, was authored by Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Natacha Godbout, Cloé Canivet, Tal Peleg-Sagy, and David Lafortune.