No, BDSM is not abuse when practiced consensually and responsibly. The key difference between BDSM and abuse is consent. BDSM is built on clear communication, trust, and mutual agreement, while abuse is non-consensual and harmful.

BDSM is an acronym for:

• Bondage and Discipline (BD)

• Dominance and Submission (DS)

• Sadism and Masochism (SM)

These terms describe a range of consensual activities and relationships involving power dynamics, restraint, and sensory stimulation.

We have dedicated a full page explaining what BDSM is and what you can and can’t expect. Please read here