I love anal. LOVE it. It's an instant trigger for me - I can cum very quickly when my ass is penetrated; it's the only sex act that makes me cum exclusively without clitoral/other stimulation. However, it makes me feel extremely vulnerable, and that's a rather difficult feeling that i love and hate, so it's easier for me to handle having something in my ass if i play with my clit to somewhat take my mind off the sensation.

That being said, I don't think it should ever be used for punishment because it is such a delicate area and it's waaaaay too easy to do serious damage.