safeword

A safeword is a prearranged term or signal used by participants in BDSM, kink, or other activities involving consent to halt, slow down, or change the activity. It provides a clear, unambiguous way to withdraw consent when a boundary is reached or safety is at risk. The chosen word or signal should be easy to pronounce, unlikely to occur in normal dialogue during play, and agreed upon by all participants before engaging.

Common systems include a traffic-light scheme and a single universal word. In the traffic-light system, red means stop immediately, yellow means slow down or check in, and green means proceed. Some groups use a specific nonverbal cue or gesture if speech is impractical. Safewords should be distinguishable from everyday language and consistently recognized by everyone involved.

Safewords are part of informed, negotiated consent and are central to practices such as risk-aware consensual kink (RACK) or safe, sane, and consensual (SSC). They are adjustable and can be revoked at any time. Discussions about safewords are typically part of pre-play boundary setting and should be revisited as activities or comfort levels change. Immediate respect for a safeword is considered essential for ethical play and aftercare planning.

Legal requirements vary by jurisdiction, but ethical norms in many communities emphasize clear communication, ongoing consent, and the ability to stop activities at any time. Safewords can also be applicable in non-sexual contexts that require clear, rapid withdrawal of consent or boundaries.