When entering into the BDSM community new comers are often met with a large number of various terminologies, acronyms, and more. Some of the first ones that new comers come across are SSC and RACK. But what are these and why are they important?

While these are generally considered universally accepted acronyms, I prefer the term BDSM frameworks. Each has their ups and downs, and you will find people arguing for one or the other no matter where you turn. Personally, I say just pick the one that makes the most sense to you and run with it, nothing is saying you can’t change it later.

In this writing I plan on going over the big three and covering their history and purpose as much as I can. This does not mean that these are the only ones, but these are the most well-known ones.

Frameworks

I prefer the term Framework when dealing with these as that’s exactly what they are. They are frameworks on how to conduct ourselves in kink. They are not solid objective rules, and each is subject to some degree of interpretation. The purpose of these “Frameworks” is to define what is and what is not ok. Essentially laying out the foundations for informed consent, which is the only differentiator between what we do, and various crimes of abuse.

SSC

SSC is typically regarded as one of the oldest frameworks and potentially even the first. SSC stands for Safe, Sane, Consensual. Since the 1980’s many individuals and groups have adopted this based off the interpretation that everything is based on safe activities, that all participants are of sufficiently sound mind in their conduct, and that all participants do consent.

History

The origin of SSC can be attributed to a number of sources, predominantly the most agreed upon would be the Hellfire Club in Chicago which included the below in their mission statement in the 1970s.

…Responsible S&M has become more popular and less feared in the gay community and Chicago Hellfire Club continues to serve its community — striving always to educate and promote safe and sane enjoyment of men by men.

However, the Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA) issued a newsletter in 1983 which was the first place that “Safe, Sane, and consensual” were all conjoined.

GMSMA is a not-for-profit organization of gay males in the New York City area who are seriously interested in safe, sane, and consensual S/M.

RACK

RACK is typically seen as an evolution of SSC and stands for Risk Aware Consensual Kink, and of course is a play on words with the Rack torture device. This framework encourages individual responsibility by ensuring that risks are covered in negotiation. Proponents of this argue that no activity is inherently safe and that discussion of even low-chance risks are necessary for truly informed consent.

History

RACK was seen as the evolution of SSC. It was originally proposed by GarySwitch on the TES-Friends list on 11/25/99. He states that his primary motivation behind the proposal is due to the fact that nothing is inherently “safe” and “negotiation cannot be valid without foreknowledge of the possible risks involved”.

You can read Gary’s write up on why he proposed RACK and it’s origins here

PRICK

PRICK is considered the next evolution beyond RACK. It stands for: Personal responsibility, informed, consensual kink. This framework was created in response to questioning on whether an individual can truly consent if they are not informed of the potential risks with various activities.

This particular framework emphasizes that all should take personal responsibility for your kink. Once one is fully informed they have the personal responsibility to accept or reject the behavior based on the risks and mush live with the consequences of their choice.

History

The history of PRICK has been a fun little chase. Unfortunately I have yet to be able to find the absolute source, however the earliest mention I was able to find was in a Rope Bondage forum under a thread titled Inverted suspension. what’s the limiting factor? on April 20, 2008 in which user Sofia states:

“My ultimate goal is to be suspended by one ankle only, out-of-doors from a tree limb, emulating the “Hanged Man” Tarot card. I have yet to find a top for this.”

If you are truly comfortable with the risk of injury to your ankle, I know a knowledgeable and mean rope top who would do this suspension. Are you willing to have a limp for a few months after a short scene? Because ankles are not designed to support weight upside down.

I’m all about being a PRICK, (Personal Responsibility Informed Consensual Kink) so good luck and have fun.

Following, on 3 April 2009 an individual updated the RACK wikipedia page to include

There has also been some discussion on the next level of RACK. PRICK (Personal Responsibility Informed Consensual Kink) basically forces each participant to take responsibility for his/her own actions, as well as being informed (aware of) the risks involved.

Others

Those I have written about above are not the only ones, there are many other frameworks as well such as:

• Caring, Communication, Consent, Caution (CCCC)
• Safe, Sane, Informed, Consensual, Kink (SSICK)
• Committed, Compassionate, Consensual (CCC)

and potentially many many more.

Over all while there are many frameworks you can choose to live by, as long as there is complete and informed consent, that consent is abided by, and everyone is having fun just I say choose the framework that best fits for you personally.

Final Thoughts

As with all of my instructional writings, I don’t claim to be an expert at everything…or anything! If you believe some part of this is incorrect, or needs to be adjusted, or something just needs to be added to it. Then comment it below, or send me a message and I’ll be glad to make any necessary corrections.