52. Uncivilised Cruelty: Should rough sex be illegal?

Studies show that nearly half the UK population have experimented with bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism (BDSM). It is surprisingly common, so why did a group of men practicing BDSM end up in prison? Should we police what people do in the bedroom?

On this episode of bad people Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen discuss the “rough sex” defence. Is it an opportunity to get away with murder or a necessary part of the legal framework?

This episode contains audio from BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and the documentary When Sex Games Go Wrong, produced by Caitlin Kelly. Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of violence and some swearing.

CREDITS Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen Producer: Caroline Steel Assistant Producer: Simon Rata Music: Matt Chandler Editor: Rami Tzabar #BadPeople_BBC Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins

Bad People is produced in partnership with The Open University and is a BBC Audio Science Production for BBC