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BDSM Dictionary : Cell: history
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This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.
This is the version from 23 Sep 06, 2:04 PM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.
In the context of BDSM a cell is a small room designed for locking up a sub. BDSM cells tend to be much smaller that prison cells as the captive will not usually spend more than a few hours in the cell at any one time. Cells create a 'space' of confinement and provide a barrier between the captive and the person controlling them. The fact that the captive cannot see the top can be unsettleing for them and create a sense of yerning for their return. Cells are a very effective way of preparing a sub for a scene and creating a division between the real world and the fantasy world of the scene.
While a cell should not (in theory) require the captive to have any additional bondage to prevent them escaping, it is common for additional restraints to be used on the person to enhance the sense of helplessness and loss of control. The use of hoods, ear plugs, and darkness can all be employed to effect sensory deprivation and to further enhance the sense of loss of control.
Many dungeons will have a cell as part of their facilities. It is also possible to create cells in ordinary houses by clearing out cupboards or using cellar space in older houses (Balzac uses an old coalhole under the font steps as a cell). Baby monitors or webcams can be used to monitor the captive without letting them know they are being observed. See also
(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the Cell article in Wipipedia.)
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