Safety while working

Safety tips

As you all know just because you work indoors does not mean that you will not experience violence, law enforcement and unwelcome attention from clients. So how do you go about being safe? Here are a few suggestions and ideas for those of you who work indoors.

Screening

When your company is being requested you do not want to say yes too just anyone. Asking questions and gathering some information will help weed out the dates that are just going to waste your time or the ones who might be dangerous. Be confident when gathering this information and do not feel bad; if they are just looking to enjoy your company then they should have no problem providing you with this information:

- first and last name
- contact information (cell phone number, email address)
- driver’s license number (and check I.D. when you get there)
- if they are staying at a hotel get the room number and address (then call the front desk and confirm they are actually staying there)
- Ask if they are a member on any of the escort sites that you also use. If they are members look them up and check out there posts
- ask for references; at least 2 other workers that they have seen and contact those service providers to ask for a reference
- use the two call method: use the first call to set up the meeting and then have them call you once they are on a nearby street, when they call again you can provide them with the address or room number
- be clear and upfront about the services you do and don’t offer
- If they cannot or will not provide any information, too bad for them! If they are not willing to divulge any information then maybe their intentions aren’t great

Security calls: “trusted friend”

Your ‘trusted friend’ is someone who looks out for you. You call this person each time you have an appointment and they know where you are at all times. When you first arrive at an appointment (or your appointment arrives):
- call your trusted friend (in front of the client) and tell them you are with a client and what time you are expected to be done, ask them to call you if they don’t hear from you 5 minutes after the appointment is done.
- Once you leave your appointment, call them again to let them know you have finished your appointment. If they don’t answer when you call, pretend like they did so the client knows someone will miss you if you’re gone. Here’s a quick example:
“I’m with a client and I will be done at 3:00 p.m. I’ll call you when I’m done. If you don’t hear from me by 3:05 p.m. please call me”.
- Have a code phrase that you and your trusted friend know means that there is trouble. Try not to make it obvious it’s a code phrase because in the event you have to use this, the person you are with may get angrier with you and become violent. An example might be “Everything went exactly as I thought”, this sounds like something you might say normally but it’s understood between the two of you that something is wrong.

Once the lucky client has been screened and it’s all good to go, write down all of the information you have gathered on the client and give to your ‘trusted friend’ or leave it somewhere it can be seen in plain view just in case someone should comes to look for you. If your method of communication with the client has been via email or messenger, it’s a good idea to save a copy of that conversation as well.

Getting there

Although we can understand how convenient it is to drive yourself to appointments with your car this is not always recommended. Not only is it adding additional safety for yourself by having one more person who knows where you are, it also protects yourself from potential stalkers or creepy dates that may start to learn your car and movements. So, take a cab or better yet, hire a driver. If you have established a relationship with a driver, have him walk you to the door.

Once There

- Ask for some I.D. to make sure they are who they say they are, if they have good intentions then they should have no problem complying with this request.
- If you are doing an out-call, check the place out to make sure there’s no one else there.
- If you are doing an in-call, don’t let them move or adjust any of the furniture, remove all valuables and personal information (bills with your information on it, etc.), and lock your computer.
- Either way, in or out call, get them remove their clothes and place them in a closet or in another room. This can be taken as an ‘added touch’ to your client, make it seem like you are pampering them; either undress them and then take them to another room or, while they are showering take their clothes, fold them up nicely and leave them in a closet. This is for your safety, to ensure they are not bringing in any unwanted toys or weapons.
- Pay attention to where they are and what they are doing at all times!
- If you are going to be drinking ANYTHING (water included) watch your drink at all times, including when it is being poured.
- Do not allow tie-ups, fisting or the use of toys until you have had a few sessions with that client and a certain level of trust has been established.




Other Tips

- It is not recommended that you carry any weapons – they can be turned against you if you are over powered. However, if you feel the need it is a good idea to get something like pepper spray that is in a different container or easy to conceal or hide in places where you can reach it if needed.
- Take some self defense classes, they are fairly inexpensive and can be found in a number of places around the city. Call 311 for more informaiton
- Communicate with your peers! Use the ‘blacklist’ on peer sites and talk to other service provider’s about your bad dates. Call the SHIFT program to report your bad date at 403-237-8171 or online at www.shiftcalgary.org, give the description of the client, what happened, where you saw him/met him – it’s entirely anonymous and it may help a fellow worker avoid a bad situation in the future.
- Try to avoid taking drugs or consuming alcohol before or during a date. Being under the influence can cloud your judgment which may lead to you agreeing to provide services you normally wouldn’t agree to and it can be harder to fight back if you need to. Better to be sober and in control at all times.