Psychological safety

Question: Even though you say Code d' Odalisque is non-violent, there is still psychological violence and psychological sadism. What does the Code do to prevent that?

There are many features of the odalisque's life, as defined by Code d' Odalisque, that work to protect her from all kinds of abuses. She has her own space, her odella, she has a Contract, she has rest, she has rights. More importantly, she has an Overmistress, a woman (usually older) who will look after her interests and her welfare, including her psychological welfare.

More generally, Code d' Ode is a pro-social and pro-community code. Couples play sex slave games in the privacy of their relationships but when they decide to move to a more serious level of play they should extend their contacts and enter a community of fellow players.

This is for many reasons, foremost being questions of safe play. There is some safety in networks. It is lone rogues who are a problem in any alternative sex scene.

True, an odalisque submits to captivity and to isolation as a condition of her occlusion. But she should be equipped for this by nature and have natural aptitude for such a lidfestyle. And she has - at least - her Overmistress besides her Master. Better still, she and her Master are part of a networkl of players.

Abuses are always possible. Consider the ideals and the realities of the institution of marriage, for instance. We cannot guarantee that women will not be abused under Code d' Odalisque, but on any reading of the terms and conditions of the Code it is heavily weighted towards the safety and well-being of the slave. Safety is a serious issue. Odalisque slavery can be intense. Submission to sexual use is not for every woman.

If, for instance, a young woman entered odalisque slavery but it proved that she was not psychologically equipped for the role, her Overmistress should detect this situation and intervene. That is how it should work. Much depends, of course, upon the human beings that fill these roles.