Torture
Torture can be consensual or not. In SM, torture is generally used to indicate activities that involve pain of some sort.
The word 'torture' comes from the French torture, originating in the Late Latin tortura and ultimately deriving the past participle of torquere meaning 'to twist'.
The word may be used loosely for more ordinary or daily discomforts which would be described as tedious rather than painful.
Torture methods and devices
Physical torture methods have been used from time immemorial and can range from a beating with nothing more than fist and boot, through to the use of sophisticated custom designed devices such as the rack. Other types of torture can include sensory or sleep deprivation, restraint or being held in awkward or damaging positions, uncomfortable extremes of heat and cold, loud noises or any other means that inflicts physical or mental pain.
Psychological torture uses non-physical methods are used to cause psychological suffering. Its effects are not immediately apparent unless they alter the behavior of the tortured person. Since there is no international political consensus on what constitutes psychological torture, it is often overlooked, denied, and referred to in different names.
Sexually abusive torture uses rape and other forms of sexual abuse for interrogative or punitive purposes.
Medical torture Medical practitioners may also be involved with torture either to judge what victims can endure, to apply treatments which will enhance torture, or as torturers in their own right. Josef Mengele and Shiro Ishii were infamous during and after World War II for their involvement in medical torture and murder.
See also Foot whipping and/or Torment
Portal:Torture methods and devices
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