Working safely in prostitution
How can I work safely as far as possible?
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Choose your clients yourself! If you find a client strange, it’s okay to refuse him or her!
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Be clear with your clients about what you do and don’t offer – stick to your boundaries! Don’t let yourself be persuaded into doing anything you don’t want to do!
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If a client violates your agreement or pushes you beyond your boundaries, you have the right to terminate sexual contact at any time!
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Name the price for your service and ask for the money upfront beforehand!
How do I ensure a safe environment?
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If you work on the street, stand in a bright spot.
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When escorting your clients to a hotel or home, inform a trusted third party of where you are and arrange to call them if there is an emergency.
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Always make sure that the doors (in a car, in your room, in the hotel...) are not locked, so that you can get out quickly in an emergency.
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Memorise what your clients look like, their special features or their cars and license plates.
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According to the new Prostitute Protection Act (ProstSchG), operators of prostitution establishments have to set up emergency call systems so that you can quickly get help in threatening situations. Talk to the operators when you’re new and get them to show you the system!
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Keep an eye on your body. Get sufficient sleep and breaks and eat a healthy diet. Don’t make yourself vulnerable through drug use or alcohol consumption!
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If possible, go for a free and anonymous STI and HIV check up at the local health authority every 4-6 months. This means that you can be sure that you haven’t been infected with a sexually transmitted infection without realising. If you don’t know how to get there, ask us at cara*SH. We would be happy to take you to the clinic and accompany you to your appointment!
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Do you want to learn more about how to work safely when doing sex work? Contact us at cara*SH. We know of training sessions for sex workers and would be happy to recommend them to you!
How can ensure I am safe during sex work itself?
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Always work with condoms! It not only protects you against pregnancies, but also against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). It is for your own safety and that of your clients.
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Make sure that the condom is still in date and the packaging is undamaged. Remember: the condom must fit well, otherwise it may slip or tear. Then it will no longer offer safe protection. Use a new condom for each new sexual practice. You should also use a condom or a dental dam for oral sex.
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It’s safer if you put on the condom over the penis yourself and also insert it yourself rather than relying on your clients!
There are extra strong condoms available for anal sex.
If you use lubricant, the condom won’t be able to tear so easily. Make sure it is free of grease. Oils or creams are not suitable for use as lubricants!
Lubricant also protects you from slight injuries to the vagina. -
If you discover small scratches or wounds on the hands and/or genitals of your clients, use latex gloves and make sure that you only touch yourself with one hand and your clients only with the other.
Please also ask your clients to only touch you with one hand and themselves with the other hand. -
Make sure your clients don’t touch their anal area first and then touch your vagina.
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During your period, your vagina is particularly sensitive. Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or fungi can then easily enter your body. It is best not to work at all during this time or to restrict yourself to practices such as oral sex.
If you still want to work during your period, you can use practical soft tampons and red condoms. That way the clients won’t know you have your period. -
Clean and disinfect your sex toys after each use.
Are there any videos about this?
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Yes! If you want to know more about this, check out these videos on sexual health:
http://www.hydra-berlin.de/fit_im_schritt/
The videos are available in many different languages!
Where can I have myself checked?
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If you are not sure whether or not you are infected with a sexually transmitted disease, contact an advice centre or the local health authority. They can offer you free and anonymous STI and HIV tests (check ups):
HIV/ AIDS and STIs
If you don’t know how to get there, ask us at cara*SH. We would be happy to take you there and accompany you to your appointment!