ShaktiSama -> RE: "Policing ourselves" (1/9/2009 7:30:49 PM)
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I tend to think the community is pretty effectively self-policing, in the sense that there are commonly accepted guidelines for correct and courteous behavior, and most people in public BDSM gatherings recognize when these are broken. There are also some ways in which the community can "police itself" in terms of offering one another support when meeting new potential partners (phone buddy system), information on techniques and tools (lots of BDSM play is potentially dangerous if done incorrectly) and upholding certain standards for toys, equipment, etc. (lots of toys are unsafe if badly made or maintained). I tend to avoid any concept of "policing" the community which involves committing violence in retaliation for abuse or harm done to community members. I have seen a few people get hurt over the years, and have often wished there were better ways to protect individuals from abuse of various kinds--heard a lot of horror stories over the years, and even witnessed a few.
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