Restraint

Restraint is the consensual limiting of someone’s movement within a scene. It can be physical, symbolic, temporary, or part of a power dynamic. It is broader than any one material or method, and the important question is whether the person affected understands and agrees to what will happen.

Restraint should always leave room for an immediate stop. A safe word or non-verbal alternative, plus openly discussed boundaries, helps protect a person’s agency. Bondage is one related practice, but not every restraint scene has the same purpose or level of intensity.