WORKING SAFELY

What we mean by working safely:

Working safely means trying to do the best in your job without any risks to yourself.
As an escort you must try to be 100% safe sex, because escorts are more at risk catching an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) due to the number men they have sex with.

You must be very careful because you work for yourself, and alone, in the majority cases that makes you more vulnerable for any kind of violence.

You always can say NO to anything that the customers asks you which is not your normal service (many escorts limit their services to wanking, sucking and fucking).

If you need the police help at anytime, feel free to call them because even if you're an escort they are there to help and protect you, the law is with you in the most cases.

You can call the Westminster Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Help line on 020- 73218788.

What is 100% Safe Sex:

• Always use condoms and plenty of lubricant when you fuck or get fucked.
• Always check the condom before and after the penetration, never trust anyone, even regular clients.
• Always use condoms when sucking or being sucked
• If you do rimming, always use an oral shield (dental dam)
• Fingering or fist fucking, use gloves, or roll a condom over your hand.
• When using toys such as dildos, always use a condom and change condoms between use/partners
• No kissing above the neck
• Even if you do everything right you always are taking a slight risk.
• Always bring your own condoms, lubricant and poppers (never trust a clients supplies).

Keeping yourself safe from violence:

Depending where you are working it has different risks and safety measures to take it.

Working on the streets

• It's not a very safe way to work, because you are alone in the street by yourself, mostly during the hours of darkness
• Never go with two clients in the same time, you have to be extremely careful
• Don't go with drunk or drugged customers
• It's illegal to work on the street so you need to be careful with the police as well.

Working in Agencies/Massage Parlours/Brothels


• It's normally a safe place to work
• You are not alone, you have managers to control the service and customers
• You don't have to make unsafe sex even if the managers told you so, in this case just leave this agency - again, never do want you are not happy to do.

Working Privately


• You work alone, but never tells a customer that you live alone
• Never take two customers at the same time
• Always keep valuable objects in a safe place away from customer's eyes (you can be robbed)
• Take the money before starting service
• When you make outcalls you have more risks then in your home. Hotels are always safer than private houses; to visit a client at a hotel, ask for the hotel's phone number and his room number and then call him back. This way you know he is real and there is someone there. Don't just rely on having his mobile number.
• If visiting a private residence make sure you have the address and a fixed line number (not mobile) so you can make sure he is genuine and if you get lost you can call for directions
• If you have any doubts that a client is genuine or that you may get hurt, don't go to the appointment but always ring to say you can't make it.
• ALWAYS tell a friend or partner where you are going and leave a contact phone number and the address.
• Make sure you have the client's number and location before setting out, don't agree to meet in a pub or a street corner - he won't show up!
• If you are doing an in-call with a new client, NEVER give your address immediately. Direct him to the nearest tube or bus stop, or just give your street name, and then make him call when he's arrived, and go collect him. If he looks drunk, off his head, threatening, you can then leave him there. If he calls again, just politely inform him you are no longer available.

Advantages of working privately:

• you are usually master of your own time as you don't have to be on a stand-by for an agency all afternoon, evening or even night
• as it's in your place you can feel more relaxed
• it's easier to say 'no' to the client as there is no pressure, direct or indirect from an agency not to do so
• it's up to you whether or not client comes to you again (in an agency it could be up to the person who is on the reception or answering the phone)
• it's up to you how much you charge the client as you take all the proceedings
• for boys whose work permit is yet to be sorted, it's the safest option as home office raids in the agencies could lead to deportation

Disadvantages of working privately:

• It can be expensive (requires little bit of planning and budgeting) and you can't afford missing on advertising - advertising in QX and Boyz cost around £80 a week, and a studio-flat in central London can cost approximately £200 a week,
• There is the SECURITY issue (see safety above)
• You will always be on call, clients could call in the middle of dinner with your friends and if you haven't been so busy that week you might need to work, it can make having a social life difficult.
• If using your home, maybe your boyfriend or flatmate might have to stay outside in the rain while you are busy, or be stuck in another room while your see clients.
• Neighbours may become suspicious, so always try to be on the best of terms with everyone, very polite and very helpful. It may prevent your little 'trade' being blown out of proportion. If your apartment block has a porter this may be difficult, think of other ways into the property. You might want only to do outcalls rather than in-calls after midnight, so as not to upset neighbours with the potential noise.

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS

Added by Police Constable Keith Lynwood, Westminster Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Liaison Officer.

Use common sense

• When at lesbian and gay venues, be alert and be aware of your surroundings. Don't assume you are in a safe place.
• Try to leave bars/clubs/community centres with people you know and trust, in particular if you are upset or intoxicated
• If you leave with someone you just met, introduce him or her to a friend or even the bar staff. Make sure that person knows you have told other people you are leaving together.
• If you are unsure about leaving with someone - DON'T!
• Give yourself permission to be impolite or over cautious.
• You don't have to talk to strangers who approach you.
• Always try to keep some money aside for public transport, a taxi or even a phone call.

Tips for Safety

• Walk in well lit streets where there are people and traffic
• Avoid shrubbery or doorways that might hide an attacker
• Be aware of who is in front of you and who is behind you. If you feel threatened cross the street, change direction, let them pass or run to a safe place
• Be aware of who gets on and off public transport with you
• Have you keys in your hand when you reach your home or car
• Attackers expect a passive victim, carry a whistle or personal alarm in your pocket
• While cruising, carry as little money as possible, no jewellery and only identification which does not have your address
• If you feel unsafe, trust your instincts and act accordingly or leave!
• If you see someone being hassled, try to help them or call for help.
• Homophobic verbal abuse is often the first stage to an attack - if you answer back, be prepared for what might follow.
• Consider taking a self defence course. There are lesbian and gay self-defence groups and those that specialise in self defence for vulnerable communities - contact the police liaison officer on 020 7321 8788 for further information.

What to do if you are assaulted

• Call the police as soon as possible - call 999 and tell them you have been assaulted.
• Seek medical help as needed.
• In cases of physical or sexual assault, don't shower or clean clothes before the police arrive, you may be destroying vital evidence which could convict your attacker.
• Try to note on paper the details of the attacker (height, eye colour, accent, etc.) and the sequence of events as soon as possible while it's still fresh.
• Have any police officer you speak with provide you with his or her name, shoulder number and the crime reference number
• Don't be ashamed to ask a friend to be with you

Violence against lesbians and gays affects everyone in our community. Every attack aims to render invisible our entire community. If we ignore attacks on others, we are condoning violence against ourselves. If you witness or hear of somebody being attacked, do something about it. Don't ignore it. Think of what you would want somebody to do if you were being attacked.

The police service has a statutory duty to work with the lesbian and gay community, to reduce incidences of homophobic crime and to protect lesbians and gay men from attack. This includes gay men who sell sex, even if the incidence is related to their work.

If you have been the victim of a homophobic hate crime, contact the Westminster LGBT help line on 020 7321 8788 TODAY - the Metropolitan Police, helping to make London a safer place for everyone.

HOMOPHOBIC CRIME IS HATE CRIME - IT HURTS - IT IS ILLEGAL
IT CAN BE STOPPED

Personal Experience

Selling sex should be a safe experience, by following the tips and advice given in these few pages, you can ensure that you remain safe as possible, as explained by the personal testimony of an experienced escort below:

"If I went for an outcall I ALWAYS made sure my boyfriend or a mate had the address and possibly landline of the place where I was going and I PHONED AS SOON AS I ARRIVED at the place (preferably in front of the client) to let them know that I had arrived o.k. and that I would phone again in about an hour. Most of the clients themselves made similar arrangements and I am sure they didn't object. Of course I called IMMIDIATELY after I left or, if I was staying longer, then I phoned within the agreed time. At the beginning it was difficult to stick to the phoning at certain times, especially when you saw the client before or you thought the client was a sweetheart, but after while it became a habit which I came to depend on for peace of mind while I was working. Well, the people that were ok were the last ones to mind anyway. If somebody had minded this could indicate that something dodgy was going on and that the client was probably best avoided. I have been escorting from home for almost 4 years on and off and I HAVE NEVER HAD A VIOLENT EXPERIENCE AND I AM CERTAIN IT WAS DUE TO THE PRECAUTIONS I TOOK."

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