Public Humiliation is a form of power exchange play in which an individual becomes aroused by being embarrassed and degraded by another person in view of others. This type of consensual humiliation play can take many forms, including verbal and physical acts that are imposed and performed in the presence of others. Some public humiliation acts are overt and known by others; others are hidden but known by both individuals. Either way, humiliation play can be a more controversial type of BDSM scene.
Public humiliation play is frequently associated with BDSM and is often enacted by people in a dominant and submissive (D/s) relationship. Anyone of any gender or sexuality can partake in these activities.
Public humiliation can take many forms and is often connected to other kinks and fetishes. People who are interested can have intersecting interests such as exhibitionism, voyeurism, bondage, cuckolding, role play, deprivation and more. Combining aspects of other BDSM activities into public humiliation activities and scenes can height the experience for both the submissive and the dominant.
Verbal public humiliation can be performed in a variety of ways. Dominants can embarrass their submissives by insulting them, demeaning and degrading them, and mocking and belittling their intelligence and physical appearance. Some people enjoy being called specific names, such as bitch, slut, pervert, loser and more - anything that both mortifies and excites the submissive. These verbal cues can be spoken out loud for others to hear or they can be whispered or texted covertly.
Physical public humiliation provides the potential for many different types of play. Submissives can be made to wear specific clothing that challenges their sexuality or gender, can be bound or led by a leash, worship the dominant's feet, or be forced to kneel or sit on the floor beside their dominant. Punishments, such as spanking or slapping can be administered if the submissive does not behave in the way the dominant expects. This is decided in the terms of their D/s relationship. Many of these acts can also be performed subtly.