12 March 2025 Articles

Let’s Kink Responsibly!

Raising awareness on sexual health and mental well-being at Darklands Festival

Kink Responsibly

ITM and Darklands established the Kink Responsibly project to raise awareness and offer guidance on sexually transmitted infections, substance use, and mental health at the 2025 edition of the Darklands Festival, supported by over ten healthcare and support organisations.

From 25 February until 2 March 2025, the fifteenth edition of Darklands Festival, the largest fetish festival of its kind in Europe, took place in Antwerp, expecting 27.000 visitors. The event welcomes the international fetish community, which, aside from facing many misconceptions, is also vulnerable to unique health risks and challenges that align with our focus on sexual health research and clinic operations.

Kink Responsibly was designed as an expo to engage the community within a safe, non-judgmental space, separate from the festival’s party atmosphere. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about important health topics, ask questions and talk to experts at their own pace, in a relaxed environment free from stigma or pressure. Our goal was to create an open, safe and supportive environment for everyone involved.

Tom Platteau, Sexologist at ITM and Kink Responsibly project lead

“Kink Responsibly demonstrates how the 'community' and the research, care, support, and prevention organisations can mutually reinforce each other in a true win-win. The expo provides the community with valuable insights and awareness, while researchers and caregivers gain a better understanding of the community’s world, enabling them to offer more effective support."

Tom Platteau
ITM Sexologist & Kink Responsibly project lead

The exhibition was tailored to address three key themes related to sexual health and mental well-being: sexual transmitted infections (STIs), substance use, and mental health. Different partners brought their own expertise to the table to create a comprehensive and informative experience.

Kink Responsibly

Protect yourself, prevent the spread

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant health concern, particularly for those with frequent intimate connections. Visitors could learn about:

STI transmission: Different STIs can spread through various forms of sexual contact, shared needles or close skin-to-skin contact. It’s important to recognise that each STI has its own method of transmission.
Protective methods: Preventive measures such as condoms, vaccinations and PrEP play a vital role in reducing risk. Regular testing is crucial, as many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning you may not experience symptoms but can still transmit it to others. Resources like Test2Know offer confidential and accessible testing and a gateway towards care.
The history of STI discovery and treatment: A look at the history of STI discovery and medical advancements in treatment.

Colleagues from VAGGA

Know the risks, stay safe

Sexualised drug use (chemsex) is an increasingly important topic. While some individuals use substances to enhance their (sexual) experiences, it’s important to understand the risks and common misconceptions. Visitors could learn about:

Chemsex risks: Drugs and alcohol can impair judgment and decision-making. If you engage in chemsex, it’s important to set boundaries, communicate openly about safety and consent, and stay aware of your surroundings. ITM’s Budd app, for example, provides information, tools and resources to help chem users make informed choices and reduce risks. Visitors interested in chem use could ask questions to a specially created private AI tool, BUDD-GPT, focusing on harm reduction and support.
Chem interactions: Different substances can interact in unpredictable and potentially dangerous ways, impacting both physical and mental health. Potential risks of these interactions are included in ITM’s Budd combo tool, that was made available for visitors on a touchscreen during the festival
Support and resources: Knowing your limits and seeking help when needed is vital for maintaining long-term well-being. Confidential resources like Chemsextherapist.com and Budd.be offer support for those concerned about their chem use.

A selection of images from The NarcoSexuals, an exhibition by Dries Verhoeven about a group of men engaging in sexualised drug use, was also displayed to invite visitors to reflect on the delicate balance between freedom and risk.

Kink Responsibly

Check in with yourself, embrace your well-being

Many people experience anxiety, depression or stress-related feelings that can be amplified in the context of kink or chem use. It can be difficult to recognise the signs, understand your limits, communicate your boundaries, and seek help when necessary. During Kink Responsibly, we emphasised that it’s always okay to check in with yourself and to reach out for support if (mental) health concerns arise.

“Understand your limits, communicate boundaries, and seek help when needed. It’s always okay to reach out for support.”

Wim Vanden Berghe
ITM Psychologist

Self-check “How am I doing?”: How are you feeling right now? What situations or triggers might be influencing your current emotions? Have you been practicing self-compassion? Visitors were encouraged to use a set of questions to reflect on their emotions and feelings, and identify steps for better self-care.
What is consent? How do you ask for consent? We provided information on the importance of consent in all interactions, including how to communicate and ask for it effectively, making use of the Consent: It’s Simple as Tea video.

A promising pilot project

The first edition of Kink Responsibly was an invaluable opportunity for us to connect with the Darklands community and understand their concerns and information needs. Looking ahead, we are committed to refining Kink Responsibly in the coming years, tailoring it even more closely to the evolving needs of the community. We aim to make the information publicly accessible to be consulted outside of the festival. This continuous focus on the fundamentals, never assuming prior knowledge, is vital to fostering a truly inclusive and informed environment.

Partners

The Kink Responsibly project is a collaboration between the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Darklands, Sensoa, Het Roze Huis, The Boots, Boysproject, the Sexual Assault Centres (SAC), Chemsextherapist.com, CGG VAGGA vzw, City of Antwerp, as well as Gilead and ViiV.

We will continue working together to support safe, informed, and inclusive (kink) communities.

Kink Responsibly

Looking for more information?

Check out the following resources and tools:

Test2know - At-home testing for individuals in Belgium who have been at risk for HIV or other STIs, with guidance on finding appropriate care
Depistage - A useful guide on STIs, their transmission, and ways to protect yourself
Budd app - An information and support tool for those engaging in chemsex to help them monitor their participation, assess risks, and find support
Chemsextherapist - Information and support website for individuals engaging in chemsex, as well as professionals seeking specialised information
Geluksdriehoek - A tool (in Dutch) that invites you to reflect on the concept of happiness