Safety in Sex Work: Smart Strategies & Real Resources

Safety in Sex Work: Smart Strategies & Real Resources

Working in the adult industry can be empowering, but it’s essential to stay smart, aware, and supported. Here are practical safety strategies every worker should know.

Screening & Boundaries

  • Vet clients carefully: Use platforms like National Ugly Mugs (NUM) or ClientEye, request ID or a deposit, and do video calls before meeting. Trust your gut.  

  • Meet in safe spaces: Opt for public, well-lit venues like hotel lobbies or busy cafes. Avoid secluded locations unless you know the client well. 

  •  Privacy & Tech Awareness

  • Use a pseudonym, separate phone number or burner email, and never share your real address. Update privacy settings regularly and avoid revealing personal data online.  

Buddy System & Emergency Prep

  • Let someone trusted know your plans or use real-time location sharing apps like Google Maps or Kitestring.

  • Consider a panic alarm, or arrange a check-in code-word system with a friend.  

Community & Peer Tools

  • Forums like Saafe (Support and Advice for Escorts) allow frontline workers to warn each other about dangerous clients, sharing real stories and survival tips.  

  • Stay plugged into sex-worker-led advocacy groups like SWOP‑USA or the Red Umbrella Project for peer support and protocols.  

🧠 Trust Yourself...Always

Red flags aren’t microaggressions, they’re survival instincts. If a client missteps, talks over boundaries, or pushes past consent, exit. Re-evaluate your systems. Safety isn’t optional...it’s the baseline.