Purpose and approach
Everything on Consation is meant to help adults make informed choices and talk honestly with the people they are intimate with.
We write for curious beginners as much as for people with years of experience. Four principles shape every page, from a short glossary entry to a long safety guide.
Harm reduction
People will explore whether or not anyone approves. We explain risks plainly and show how to lower them, instead of pretending they do not exist.
Consent first
Informed, freely given and ongoing consent comes before any technique, toy or dynamic. A page that leaves this out is not finished.
Non-judgmental
We describe interests and practices without shaming anyone for having them or for not having them. Saying no is always a complete answer.
Inclusive
We write for every gender, orientation, body and relationship style, and we avoid assuming who does what to whom.
How we research a page
Before a page is written, we look at what reliable sources say about the topic. We prefer sources that are independent, current and open about their own evidence.
Sources we rely on
- Public health bodies and official health information services
- Peer-reviewed research, where it exists for the topic
- Established safety practice from the kink and BDSM community, especially where several independent sources agree
- Official legal texts for anything that touches on the law
- Counseling services and helplines for information about support
In-depth pages list their main sources under "Sources and further reading" at the end, so you can check them yourself. Linking to an organization does not mean it has reviewed or endorsed our content.
Where evidence is thin
Many kink practices have little formal research behind them. Where that is the case, we say so, describe common community practice as exactly that, and lean towards the more cautious advice.
Review, updates and both languages
Every page is reviewed before it is published. We check it against its sources, read it for tone and clarity, and make sure the safety information is complete and easy to find.
What a review covers
- Facts and numbers match the sources
- Risks, warning signs and when to stop are clearly stated
- Helpline and emergency information is current
- The language is respectful and does not assume gender, body or role
- Links still work and still point to the right place
We review content again at regular intervals and whenever we learn that something has changed, such as a law, a helpline number or new safety guidance. In-depth pages and this page show a visible "last reviewed" date at the top, which we update after each substantive review.
Consation is published in English and German. Each language version is written for its own readers rather than translated word for word: the German pages use German-language terms where they exist, resources from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and metric units. Both versions are reviewed before publication.
Independence
Nobody pays to appear on Consation, and nothing on the site is for sale. This keeps our recommendations focused on your safety and not on income.
- No advertising of any kind
- No sponsored content or paid articles
- No affiliate links: we earn nothing when you buy a product we mention
- No paid placements in lists, directories or search results
- Everything is free, including the tools and the account features
When we mention a type of product, such as a body-safe material or safety scissors, we do so because it matters for safety, not because anyone asked us to.
What Consation is not
Consation is general education for adults. It is not medical, psychological or legal advice, and it cannot replace a conversation with a professional who knows your situation. Where a question goes beyond general information, our pages point you to doctors, therapists, counseling services, lawyers or helplines.
In an emergency
If someone is injured, unresponsive or in danger, call your local emergency number straight away (112 in Europe). Our helplines page lists support services by country.
How we handle risky practices
Some practices carry real physical or emotional risk. We do not leave them out, because silence does not make anyone safer, but we are clear about the risk.
Beginner
Lower risk and easy to stop. A good place to start with a new partner.
Intermediate
Needs some knowledge, preparation and a clear conversation beforehand.
Advanced
Higher risk. Needs experience, training and a solid safety plan.
Not recommended
For a few practices, the risk cannot be reduced to an acceptable level. We describe them so you understand why, and say so plainly.
On every page about a practice
- A level, so you can see at a glance how much experience it needs
- Safety notes on preparation, communication and aftercare
- Warnings about specific dangers and the signs that mean you should stop
- A clear statement where we advise against a practice
Corrections and feedback
We will sometimes get things wrong, and we want to know when we do. If you find an error, an outdated number, a broken link or wording that feels hurtful, please tell us.
How to reach us
- Write to support@consation.com
- If you have an account, use the contact form
- Tell us the page address and what you think is wrong; a source helps if you have one
We read every message. When a correction is needed, we make it promptly and update the review date of the page. For significant safety corrections, we change both language versions at the same time.
Who is behind Consation
Consation is a small, independent project operated by John Dieter Jöhr in Switzerland. It is not part of a company, clinic or organization. Full contact details are in our imprint, and how we handle your data is explained in our privacy policy.
We do not claim to be an authority. What we can promise is the process described on this page: careful research, honest labeling of risk, regular review and quick corrections.