Most of us live in a country where the thirteenth amendment applies. That's the reason we insist our subs know and stand ready to use "safewords" and give many other signs of voluntary and informed consent. Any Dom outside the middle east understands that the sub's rights are a good starting point to ensure that her consent is both informed and comprehensive.

Balanced with the incontrovertable rights of the sub is the mutual goal of D/s intimacy, which is both close and wonderfully hot. Close because of the vulnerabilities exposed by each partner. Hot because of the emotions which act in synergy. Respect for the rights of the sub is not only in our legal self interest but also makes good foreplay.