SSC, RACK, PRICK, BOCK: Learn SSC Kink and Other Safety Terms

SSC. RACK. PRICK. BOCK. If you’re reading these punchy little phrases and thinking they must be a forgotten verse from Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango,” you’re not alone. And you’re not necessarily wrong, either. Some of these acronyms could involve being behind bars in a raunchy (and consensual) way.

They all had it comin’ because they asked for it. These four acronyms represent frameworks promoted by people within the kink community to encourage safety and consent. Such practices are a necessity, considering how extreme, dangerous, or triggering these practices can get. But they won’t do you much good if you don’t understand them. So, let’s review each acronym and talk about why you might choose one over another within the BDSM lifestyle.

SSC kink: Safe, sane, and consensual

The acronym SSC stands for “safe, sane, and consensual.” It has become one of the cornerstones of BDSM philosophy and the kink community. SSC was popularized in the early days of the BDSM subculture and is now an essential part of how kinksters mutually agree on all sorts of activities, from Dom/sub antics to the most intense forms of pain play.

Safety and consent are commonly talked about, even in light kink. In case you need a refresher, SSC asserts that sexual activities shouldn’t put anyone at risk of extreme harm. Additionally, all participants must enthusiastically agree to every action, whether it’s a hardcore kink or 100% pure vanilla bean. Explicit consent should be given beforehand and maintained throughout, with plenty of check-ins and systems for voicing discomfort.

This acronym gets interesting with the idea that someone is “sane.” This refers to the mental state of all involved parties. Participants must be of sound mind, and it’s everyone’s responsibility not to engage in play with people whose judgment is impaired by drugs, a compromised emotional state, or anything else that would alter one’s concept of reality.

Adherents of SSC assert that each letter is equally essential for ensuring ethical sex. The term applies to anything and everything BDSM, regardless of the act.

RACK: Risk-aware consensual kink

Risky business is a significant part of the kink community — usually on purpose. A sense of danger is what rustles most people’s jimmies, after all. Some have pointed out that SSC doesn’t address the inherent risks that come with many acts — that’s when risk-aware consensual kink (RACK) entered the kink glossary.

RACK BDSM acknowledges the risks that come with the practice. The “risk-aware” part of the acronym emphasizes that no activity is completely guaranteed to be safe, and “sane” is a very subjective (and ableist) framing. Your grandmother probably thinks thongs are “insane,” but that shouldn’t stop you from rocking a whale tail at Pride.

On a more serious note, there are activities many people think of as somewhat vanilla that are actually incredibly risky. For example, knowledgeable kinksters agree choking is an extremely risky practice. However, many casual sex-enjoyers think of it as standard fare. You’ve got to be aware of the risks, darling!

RACK promotes the idea of “informed consent,” meaning everyone shares a complete understanding of the sexual behaviors and kinks coming their way. More importantly, they clearly understand exactly how likely they are to get hurt. The risks could be physical or emotional; many kinks can inflict physical pain or trigger unexpected feelings.

Informed consent is obviously vital regardless of what you’re doing, but there’s a big difference between knowing about a practice and understanding its risks. Instead of fixating on subjective thresholds, RACK encourages participants to judge safety for themselves after ensuring everyone understands what they’re getting into. 

PRICK: Personal responsibility informed consensual kink

PRICK may sound funny, but it’s a super serious matter. A more recent addition to the BDSM lexicon, PRICK BDSM came to light as a way for participants to take ownership of their actions and decisions within a scene. PRICK asserts that each person is responsible for educating themselves about the activity and communicating their needs, desires, boundaries, and expectations.

PRICK’s goal is to promote more self-awareness and accountability so that everyone involved understands the implications of the sexual behaviors they engage in. The acronym likely stems from how rapidly the kink scene evolves. Newer practices could leave a lot of gray areas regarding consent or personal limits; that’s why we think everyone engaged in kink play could use a little PRICK in their lives.

BORK: Balls-out risky kink

BORK is so fun to say, you’d never expect it could kill you. “Balls-out risky kink” describes extreme acts where risk is harder to manage. (Activities may or may not include actually having your balls out).

The BDSM community has worked out less dangerous ways to perform all sorts of gnarly activities, even ones that push boundaries and challenge conventional safety norms. But sometimes, caution just isn’t enough. If a single twitch from a participant could lead to permanent harm (or even death), that’s BORK, baby.

That said, balls-out risky kink doesn’t ignore the dangers involved. BORK enthusiasts engage in thorough talks to ensure that there’s no misunderstanding about what’s about to go down. Still, we don’t condone engaging in any BORK-adjacent activities. No nut is worth that kind of risk.

Which is the best approach?

With BORK off the table, which kink acronym rules them all? Should you be an SSC queen, a RACK backer, or a downright PRICK?

There’s no “right” answer here. The acronym that’s right for you depends on your personal preferences, your sexual behavior, and your risk tolerance. What matters most is that all participants agree on the selected approach and understand how it relates to the practice. 

Remember: Open communication is sexy! It’s also a must between kinksters to determine which framework aligns best with everyone’s comfort levels and desires. There’s really no other way to ensure everyone has a consensual and fulfilling experience. Communication is the pinnacle of BDSM, intimacy, and, frankly, life in general.

What if someone chooses not to embrace these safety guidelines?

This is a tricky question to answer within the context of kink. According to many of these guidelines, it’s up to the individual to determine what’s safe and acceptable. But it’s other kinksters’ prerogative to avoid practicing kink with someone who isn’t aware or won’t play safe. 

There are (often deliberately) blurred and crossed lines in the way people practice kink. However, those practices only prove the necessity and utility of these acronyms and guidelines. Without a shared recognition of risks or expectations, the practice becomes a breeding ground for misunderstanding or even harm. Ethics are complicated; consent should be crystal clear.

Kink newbies and life-long BDSM practitioners alike should always embrace open discussion. Individuals who don’t want to put in the effort are much less likely to pay attention to your wants and needs, and that’s no way to have a kink or sadomasochism experience. Practicing kinks should build trust, not erode it.