Rape Fantasy, Ravishment Story, CNC - What do you call it?

[Claire]

There is different terms for our stories or our kink in general and I would like to know what you think about these terms.

Rape fantasy is the term I usually use. I think it's the most accurate term to describe what our kink and stories are about. I think some may dislike it because they want to distance themself from endorsing or downplaying real rape? But to me, the fantasy-part already does that sufficiently.

Then there's ravishment fantasy/story. I have to admit that before I first stumbled over RavishU I wasn't even aware of that term's existence. I think somebody who might realize that they have such fantasies and might want to google whether that's normal is unlikely to use ravishment fantasy or kink as what they type into the search bar. I don't dislike the term, it just doesn't come to me naturally.

Consensual Non-Consent is the one term I really dislike. Unless you are talking about rape roleplay - and I mean roleplay in your bedroom and not written roleplay - I think it's a misnomer. For most of our stories I would say there is nothing consensual about them. You could argue that you as the reader consent to engage with the non-consent story. But to me, the term implies that the characters in the story are actually just roleplaying and that's just lying to the reader in my opinion. The term sounds like an attempt to sanitize the content of our stories in a way that feels disingenuous to me.


So what do you think? Am I wrong for disliking the CNC term so much? Are there terms I missed?

[Shocker]

In my mind ravishment is already, a sanitized version that allows web pages to fly slightly under the radar.

I completely agree that CNC is entirely unsuitable to describe what we write here, there is no implied consent to be found in any of my stories.

My stories deal with forced sex and humiliation of entirely unwilling victims. And while I used to prefix my stories with the firm hold belief that actual rape is a heinous crime that should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, these are rape stories not hurting anybody. I write those fantasies, but have not the slightest inclination to act them out.

[Vela Nanashi]

I think when some people use CNC I would rather use BDSM style things with actual consent and safe words or safe telepathic colours (I write fantasy/scifi), and when stories only have that then they are consensual, non con for me is whenever there is any part of it that is not consensual, but unlike most folks here that is not really my focus most of the time in my stories, at least for me, it might be the best part for others, and I can write some fucked up stuff.

I know of people who do CNC and who claim they want to or do, for me I do not get it, I want the safe word and rules to be there personally, sure it requires the same amount of trust, especially if you let yourself get utterly restrained, but then most men can overcome most women (not all of course), but restraints make it completely unfair and impossible to resist if the one applying restraints know what they are doing. So yeah a lot of trust needed.

Still I don't mind if we have a CNC tag for people to use, if they actually write a story that follows that rule, however I don't know if it would need to be a third option between consensual and non con, and there I think we might have an issue really, as if you tag it with consensual some people would not like it, since it is likely to be more harsh, then again that is true with bdsm consensual too, for some people, while maybe non con and cnc would annoy those who want real non con, so cnc is annoying that way too.

Anyway enough babbling by me.

[VictimEyes]

For myself, I prefer the term 'Rape fantasy' over 'Ravishment fantasy' because the word 'rape' implies some degree of coercion on the part of the perpetrator and some degree of resistance on the part of the victim.
The word 'ravishment' does not. I believe that the word 'ravishment' implies some degree of consent on the part of the 'victim'. If a gentleman (with whom I am not intimate) tells me I look 'ravishing' it's a compliment - If he tells me I look like 'rape-bait' - then I will probably flee!!

I would hope that there is a place for stories about CNC excursions at this website; I think that those stories could be really hot if they were written well.

[Blue]

Rape fantasy is the term I prefer for stories like this one.

CNC, in my opinion, is something completely different. It describes a specific type of role-playing game that is extremely rare in stories. Unless, of course, you explicitly state at the beginning of the story that the following text describes a CNC role-playing game.

[SoftGameHunter]

I don't usually think of CNC as a genre. It's a specific type of relationship or activity where one party tries to give up more than the usual amount of control in a scene. Of course, there are stories about it from time to time. And here's one now. I'm totally tooting my own horn here and suggesting anyone who's interested go look up Strange Therapy Proposal. It's about a couple that, with some trepidation, decides to go down that road.

[Lucius]

I think of 'ravishment' as a broader term covering all kinds of reluctance and bodice-ripping in addition to rape fantasy, so I tend to use 'ravishment stories' when discussing the whole -- guess it's also a kind of tribute to RavishU and RavishA! I don't flinch from speaking of rape when that's what happens in a story.

Yet another 'CNC is not a genre' vote.

[FormerTomBoy]

I think of Clothed, Not Clothed whenever I see CNC so it's not a genre to me.

[KittyUmbrass]

CNC is a real-life relationship style based on a negotiated, agreed and understood approach between partners who trust one another. It's not a fantasy thing, although the fantasy may be the start of discussing CNC as a chosen relationship style. In that way, it is a subset of BDSM lifestyle and is exploring boundaries and the physical, tactile sensation of peril in safer, more controlled circumstances.

In my mind, "ravishment" is a sub-category of rape fantasy (and encompassing all the things that Lucius mentioned!). Ravishment is a more passive victim accepting her fate or being "taken" through fantasy-mediaeval social norms, for example.

The fantasies I have do not fall under "ravishment" by any reasonable usage that I have seen.

And it is important to stress that the key part of it is fantasy. Fantasy: not wish, not ideation. In that sense, it is similar to CNC - a way for the mind to explore boundaries, transgression and so on in a safe and controlled way, without having to experience it in real life. But in the fantasy it can be complete nonconsent, the imagined aggressor can be utterly terrifying and unsafe, rather than a trusted partner. Exploring the ideas in a different way.

[Lucius]

I've decided to have a look at the 'Ravishment' entry in the Oxford English Dictionary. It offers

1.a. 1436–
Forcible abduction of a woman, esp. with the intention of rape; rape itself. Also in extended use. Now chiefly literary.

1.b. 1473–
As a count noun: an instance of this; = rape n.3 2b. Also figurative. Now rare.

2.a. 1477–
Rapture, ecstasy, delight; the action of entrancing a person; the fact of being entranced or captivated.

2.b. 1581–
As a count noun: an instance of this.

3. 1530–
Law. The action or an act of forcibly abducting a ward, esp. for marriage without the guardian's consent. Also: a writ issued in consequence of this. Chiefly in ravishment of ward. Now historical.

4. 1570–1650
† An act of plundering or robbing. Obsolete.

I guess the extended usage of 'ravishment' is warranted, but, well, 'rape fantasy' is straightforward.