Online Sexuality

Health and Safety within BDSM Communities

  • Bryce Westlake (Lead Investigator, San Jose State University)
  • Erin Afana (Master’s Student, San Jose State University)
  • Isabella Mahan (Master’s Student, San Jose State University)
  • Jennifer Kusz (Collaborator, Simon Fraser University

Society holds many preconceived notions regarding sexuality, particularly when it deviates from what mainstream society deems normal. Bondage, discipline, domination/submission, sadomasochism (BDSM) is a voluntary lifestyle choice that contains, but is not limited to, consensual violence, bondage, role play, and power exchange. Historically, aspects of BDSM have directly and indirectly been criminalized in many societies, contributing to societal misconceptions and creating an underground culture. Today, participants experience stigma from society and social control agents, specifically the medical community and law enforcement, who view the behaviors as deviant and many of its participants as mentally ill. 

Phase 1 (2020-2021): This research examines the activities and perceptions of BDSM through semi-structured virtual interviews with community leaders and sex educators. The interviews focus on participants’ different roles and dynamics, societal conceptions, entrance into the community, continuing education, and community and personal health and safety. Additional components focus on the societal misconceptions of BDSM, the role of pornography, and surveying participants of BDSM. 

Phase 2 (2021 – 2022): This research aims to deeper understand the pathologizing of BDSM and those who participate in the activity through an online survey of those who self-identify as BDSM participants. We seek to convey the motivations, experiences, and benefits of participation in BDSM across different countries, races, genders, and socio-economic standings. Through deeper understanding of the BDSM community, greater support for participants may promote the wellbeing of practitioners and the community, and benefits of BDSM activities may prove vital for social and emotional enrichment. Topics covered include: participation in kink, local community, personal and community safety, sex work, pornography, upbringing, parenting, mental health, and trauma.

Phase 3 (TBD):

    Content Control and Personal Boundaries Among Online Sex-Related Content Producers

    • James Popham (Lead Investigator, Wilfrid Laurier University)
    • Bryce Westlake (Co-lead Investigator, San Jose State University)
    • Stacey Hannem (Collaborator, Wilfrid Laurier University)
    • Karen Holt (Collaborator, Michigan State University)
    • Isabella Mahan (Master’s Student, San Jose State University)

    Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of sex works operating online. As this industry continues to grow, it is important that content producer’s copyright is enforced and the safety and security of performers are protected. This research includes an international team of scholars surveying and interviewing online adult sex workers to advocate for better intellectual property protections on behalf of erotic and sexual content producers and the process of maintaining healthy boundaries with clients.

    Content Control Survey (2021-2022): This research aims is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how those who participate in online sex-related content production manage their work identity in relation to their “real-life” identity and deal with the implications of the stigma associated with sex work. We seek to understand the experiences with content creation, piracy of materials by third parties, interactions with the larger sex-related community, and how the internet impacts their experiences with the sex market. The end goal is to combat the negative stigmatization of participants and identify the positive outcomes that people have from engaging in healthy, online sex-related content.

    Personal Boundaries Interviews (2022-2023):

    For more information see: https://sites.google.com/view/content-piracy-survey/home

    Publications and Presentations

    • Westlake, B., & Mahan, I. (2023). An international survey of BDSM practitioner demographics: The evolution of purpose for, participation in, and engagement with, kink activities. The Journal of Sex Research.http://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2273266
    • Westlake, B., Kusz, J., & Afana, E. (2023). A double-edged sword: The role of pornography in learning about BDSM. Sex Education. http://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2023.2266808
    • Westlake, B. G. (2022, November 26). What research on leather and kink is needed today? [Panellist]. CARAS Conference: Leather-Kink Research and Clinical Knowledge (C2C) – West, Los Angeles, California. https://www.carasresearch.org/c2c-west
    • Westlake, B., & Mahan, I. (2022, November 26). Surveying the motivations, benefits, and experiences of those who engage in BDSM/kink [Lecture]. CARAS Conference: Leather-Kink Research and Clinical Knowledge (C2C) – West, Los Angeles, CA, United States. https://www.carasresearch.org/c2c-west
    • Afana, E (2021). Perception correction: Addressing social stigmatization around BDSM and mental health [Master’s thesis, San Jose State University]. SJSU Scholar Works https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/5194/.
    • Afana, E. (2021, April 29). Perception correction: Addressing social stigma around BDSM and mental health [Poster Presentation]. 2021 College of Social Science Dean’s Student Colloquium, San Jose, CA, United States.

    Funding

    • Summer 2022: Analyzing the motivations, benefits, and experiences of BDSM participants. 2022-2023 San Jose State University RSCA Seed Grant Program