Protection

Home: Survivors: For Sex Workers: The Power Book

On the job

The best protection is taking care, never proceeding without caution. Planning to be careful before you do a job is a smart and safe way to do business. Take precautions before every job, every client - even regulars! Don't let familiarity drop your guard!

Sometimes we think that just because we've done a job in that place a few times before, or seen that client before, that we're safe ?but that's the time you can be caught off guard?

Beware of the risks

Generally, the risk of violence for sex workers depends on the location of work: street work is the most dangerous, next most dangerous is indoor work when you're working alone. The safest is indoor work with other people around. Where you work is more significant to your risk of danger than your age, drug use, length of experience in sex work or anything else. Fit the precautions to the job!

Working alone doesn't mean working isolated!

No matter where you work, develop strategies to reduce your isolation and stick with them, every time. Don't be tempted by short cuts to a fast dollar. Have your mobile phone or other communications systems in place. Have your buddies, spotters, back-ups and 'trusted others' in place. Have your plans in place and have your self-esteem in place!

Trust your instincts!

If you feel you are being pressured into something you don't want, then you are being pressured! Don't want to do the job with that client? Then don't! Go with your gut feeling! Don't worry about being 'nice'- don't be! Offending someone is better than being assaulted. Losing a job is better than losing your confidence, your health or your life.

The man who rapes looks like the man who doesn't rape!

Remember that most Ugly Mugs look and act like ordinary men, come from all social classes, income levels, races and age groups - they fit nicely into normal society, have nice girlfriends/boyfriends, nice wives, nice mates, nice jobs and nice hobbies. Some men choose to rape and others don't. It's rare but a man who rapes can have an accomplice who is a woman.

This is what you're paying for. This is the limit! We're going to do whatever we can to make you happy but there are boundaries. If they don't like it they don't book me, full stop! Say what you'll do, what they can do and? for what you don't want them to do, say beforehand 'don't even think about it!

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 24 Sep 2009