Corporal Punishment

Dirty Talk

Before starting, Sub and Dom should discuss what level of pain/force is to be used, with a safe word or sign agreed. BDSM limits. The sound of a practice blow on a nearby object or in the air before starting will heighten the Sub’s sense of excitement and dread. Most people need warming up with milder strokes rather than starting with heavy blows. The intensity of the blow can be a factor when playing; sometimes they can be hard, single blows, but commonly they are less intense with more repetitions over a period. This approach increases the sensitivity of the area being struck, thus heightens the pain being felt over time. Bending over tightens buttock muscles, making blows more painful. Lying face down hurts less and is better for beginners.

Avoid

• Hitting the lower back too much;
• Absolutely avoid the kidney area and kidneys;
• Anywhere on the body that is not padded by muscle and where you are likely to hit bone or the head, as there’s a risk to sight and hearing;
• Body parts with little fat or muscle such as joints (for example, knees or shins);
• Spinal column, including the lower spine due to the danger of paralysis;
• Stomach and ribs as both are more easily damaged;
• The genitals. Check out CBT for safe and hot genital play

Just The Tips

Objects hitting a small surface area result in a more stinging pain, while things that hit a larger area give a thudding pain. The “thud”- like pain of a hand, paddle or flogger hurts less than the stinging pain of a cane or whip.

Belts need special attention; avoid catching the skin with any buckle or studs as these can cause severe pain and lasting scars.

Canes of all sorts and materials give more of a stinging, burning pain.

Paddles, flat wooden instruments, can be used on the buttocks (too heavy for use on the back). Some have holes to reduce air resistance, so hit harder and faster. Being flat, they cause bruising rather than the stripes of canes and whips.

Spanking exerts a pain that is more of a “thud”. Hitting the buttocks is safer due to the large, fleshy area that is away from easily damaged organs and heals well.

Whips give a stinging pain. Bullwhips, although impressive-looking, cannot be used in confined spaces and are made for outdoors. They can inflict serious damage and should be left to experienced users.

Allow recovery time between blows, the harder the hit, the longer the recovery time. This time can be used for gentle contact between Top and Bottom or to prolong the “mind fuck” as the Sub anticipates the next blow.

If there is no broken skin during sessions, this practice is very low risk for HIV transmission. Any blow that breaks the skin offers a way out or into the body for viruses or bacteria such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. These can survive in dried blood, so whips, canes or other items used should be cleaned with saddle soap and water or bleach solution between uses on different people (one part bleach mixed with nine parts of water). There are some medical-grade surface cleaners that specify they will kill Hep C Virus. If the skin has been compromised, wipe away any blood resulting from the practice using a clean cotton wool ball or swab; it is recommended that you use gloves. In a private setting, if you have a sharps container or bin, place alcohol swabs, cotton wool balls and then gloves in it. If you don’t have one, place the alcohol swabs and cotton wool balls in a fireproof dish and burn them.  To safely dispose of the gloves, leave them on, wash them with a small amount of household bleach, take them off by turning the gloves inside out, double bag them and dispose of in the bin.

If you feel that your sexual exploration is causing you some distress or impacting you negatively, there are some numbers where you can enquire about these issues and get some support and information.