Help and resources

Where to turn if something does not feel right.

Kink between adults rests on consent that is informed, ongoing and can be withdrawn. Abuse is when that is missing: when limits are ignored, a safeword is not respected, or someone uses the language of kink to excuse control, threats or harm outside an agreed scene.

Support lines

• Norway: the national helpline for violence and abuse, 116 006, open around the clock.
• United Kingdom: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge), 0808 2000 247, open around the clock. Rape Crisis 24/7 Support Line (England and Wales), 0808 500 2222.
• United States: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233. RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988.
• Feeling low or in crisis: Samaritans (UK and Ireland), 116 123. The Mental Helse helpline (Norway), 116 123.

Kink-aware professionals

Many people hesitate to mention kink to a doctor or therapist. The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) runs the Kink and Polyamory Aware Professionals directory, and its Consent Counts project explains how consent and the law interact. A professional does not need to share your interests, only to treat them without judgement.