A stop word in the context of BDSM practice is a prearranged word that is used to stop a BDSM session. As a rule, the bottom partner uses the stop word, but it can be pronounced by the top partner, as well as other persons (for example, the organizer of a BDSM event responsible for the safety of participants). In case of pronouncing this word, the participants of the session are obliged to immediately stop any influences. Failure to comply with this rule is a gross violation of the ethics of the BDSM community. The presence of stop words, as well as the prior consent of the partners to the session, ensures the fulfillment of one of the components of the mandatory BDSM paradigm of the Safe, sane, consensual principles - voluntariness, and is one of the key differences between BDSM practices and domestic violence.
The stop word allows the Bottom to stop the Top partner in time if the situation becomes critical, and this is not obvious to the top one. The top partner may use a stop word if, for example, the bottom shows a desire for tougher actions that are unacceptable to the top. Thus, the presence of a stop word increases the level of security in BDSM activities.
The need to use stop words is due to the fact that ordinary words (“no”, “stop”, etc.) in BDSM practice are often part of a role-playing game and do not mean a real desire to stop the action.
The presence of the agreed stop words does not relieve the Top partner of responsibility for the consequences of BDSM actions and the obligation to independently monitor the real state of the lower one. For example, after entering the subspace, the lower one may not be able to adequately assess the situation, which, together with a general decrease in pain sensitivity, can lead to serious injuries.
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