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RACK (Risk-Aware Consensual Kink)

Risk-aware consensual kink (RACK) is a model of consent in BDSM that is generally permissive of certain risky sexual behaviours, as long as the participants are fully aware of the risks.[1]

Sources: grade A×1, grade B×1, grade C×6. Last checked 8 October 2026. What the grades mean

RACK is described as the second most popular consent model in BDSM circles, and it was created to overcome perceived shortcomings of safe, sane and consensual (SSC).[1] SSC is the most recognisable and popular model, though it is not without criticism.[2]

Some practitioners prefer RACK because it emphasises individual responsibility, with each participant being responsible for their own well-being.[3] Advocates argue that SSC can hamper discussion of risk because no activity is truly 'safe', and that discussing even low-risk possibilities is necessary for truly informed consent.[3]

Advocates also argue that a discrete line between 'safe' and 'not-safe' activities denies consenting adults the right to evaluate risks versus rewards for themselves.[3] They suggest that higher-risk play should be treated with the same regard as extreme sports, with both respect and the demand that practitioners educate themselves.[3]

Whichever model people use, informed consent depends on having relevant information, such as how far the scene will go, the potential risks and whether a safeword will be used, along with the mental capacity to judge.[4] Play is usually structured so that the consenting partner can withdraw consent at any point, for example by using a safeword agreed in advance.[5][6]

Sources

  1. Source grade CSwitch, Gary (2001). " "Origin of RACK: RACK vs. SSC" " . Vancouver Leather . Archived from the original on 2009-05-01 . Retrieved 2024-04-18 . web.archive.org (via Wikipedia: Consent in BDSM)
  2. Source grade CJacques, Trevor (1993). On the Safe Edge: A manual for SM play (1st ed.). Toronto, Canada: WholeSM Publishing. pp. 3– 4. ISBN 9781895857054 . (via Wikipedia: Consent in BDSM)
  3. Source grade C"Rack vs. SSC" . Within Reality . 2003. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007 . Retrieved 13 November 2006 . web.archive.org (via Wikipedia: BDSM)
  4. Source grade CDossie Easton, Janet W. Hardy: The New Topping Book , Greenery Press (CA) 2002, ISBN 978-1-890159-36-8 (via Wikipedia: BDSM)
  5. Source grade CDossie Easton, Janet W. Hardy: The New Topping Book , page 72, Greenery Press (CA) 2002, ISBN 978-1-890159-36-8 (via Wikipedia: BDSM)
  6. Source grade CWiseman, Jay (1998). SM 101: A Realistic Introduction . California: Greenery Press. ISBN 978-0-9639763-8-3 .; Dossie Easton, Janet W. Hardy: The New Topping Book , page 71, Greenery Press (CA) 2002 (via Wikipedia: BDSM)
  7. Source grade ABrown, Ashley (2019). "A Systematic Scoping Review of the Prevalence, Etiological, Psychological, and Interpersonal Factors Associated with BDSM" . Journal of Sex Research . 57 (6): 781– 811. doi : 10.1080/00224499.2019.1665619 . PMID 31617765 – via Taylor & Francis. tandfonline.com (via Wikipedia: Consent in BDSM)
  8. Source grade BRatcliff SE, Wright S, Herbenick D, Sunassee AA, Cummings K, Zachary T, et al.. Why Sexual Choking Is Not as Safe as You Think: A Call to Action from Sex Researchers and Kink Educators. Arch Sex Behav. 2026;55(6):2397-2412. doi:10.1007/s10508-026-03481-7

Grades: A systematic review or official classification, B peer-reviewed study, C expert or community organisation, D practice from the community without research. How we grade sources.

Every claim was checked against its source before publication. Last checked 8 October 2026.