BDSM & Safety
- If you offer BDSM services they should be discussed beforehand and in detail, e.g. safe words, the extent of the bondage. It is not recommended that you allow anyone to bind you to the degree that you are completely immobilised and unable to speak/see.
- Some clients may try and push for ‘no safe words’. Most pro doms do not accept this.
- Some pro doms have a legal disclaimer, written by a solicitor, that the client must sign before service begins.
- Whether dom or sub – know your craft and get advice from other BDSM professionals.
- Join a forum for BDSM professionals – there you can share and discuss issues of safety.
- These are just a few tips for BDSM professionals as the majority of this document will also apply to you.
Some Tips for Webcammers
- Many performers use fake identities and back stories to hide their identity for safety reasons but also to create a different persona and separation between their work and real self.
- Join a cam forum led by other webcammers e.g. Amber Cutie.
- Piracy (having your content stolen and used without your consent): Cam Model Protection will remove all your content if you pay for this service. This finds and removes pirated content. The service sends DMCA takedown notices to the file hosting sites, tube sites, search engines and internet service providers who are hosting or linking stolen content.
- Com provide free labels to add to pictures making it easier to track any unauthorised use of pictures and videos.
- If you provide custom content, i.e. clips, films, pictures – keeping a record of who has purchased each item of content can be helpful in tracking down where any explicit content has been pirated.
- If offering live cam services from home, it is always a good idea to use a space free of any identifiable objects or sights.
- If offering skype always use a different skype account not linked to your personal account.
- Check a cam service or platform is genuine before signing up as there are scam sites.
- Many cam workers will check online porn sites for any leaked content or recorded shows, it is worth always remembering clients are able to record all shows for their own use or to share online.
- As with any form of sex work setting clear boundaries on what you are and are not willing to do is incredibly important.
- Drink and drugs at work: beware of losing your inhibitions and doing something you would not normally do. Many workers choose not to use alcohol or drugs whilst working.
Agency Work and Safety
Before joining any agency ask what screening and security measures they have in place. Here are some things you should expect from agency security:
- For there to be an agreed exchange of calls or texts between you and the agency when beginning and ending a booking.
- An established procedure that will be followed in the event that you don’t send the required check-in messages, or respond. What will happen, how long will it take, will the police be involved? Particularly important, will someone physically come to your aid or is it just a case of phone calls being made?
Choosing your agency:
- The most popular agencies will regularly be mentioned on local and national client review forums, though this is no guarantee of safe or satisfactory working conditions. The most popular agencies will have in call apartments in central areas and will not expect you to pay to join. Some charge for pictures but experienced agency workers advise not paying upfront, as this can be a scam. Reputable agencies let you pay once you are earning.
- Some agencies advertise themselves as ‘female owned’ or ‘female run’; this is intended to flag that coercive or exploitative third parties are not hiding behind the guise of an ‘agency’ but do be aware that male or female run, it’s important to look at the professionalism and safety of the agency overall.
- Most agencies will tell you that they are very busy and can give you lots of work – be wary of this, especially if the agency has little online presence.
- Agencies who advertise ‘party girls’ and late hours may require escorts who will both visit clients at their home and who will drink and take drugs, so consider whether this is something you feel is safe.
- Asking an agency if they keep up with ugly mugs reports is always a good idea! If they have never heard of the system, that can be an indicator of how seriously they take escort safety.
- If they offer in calls, what is the security there like? Is there a video intercom, a spyhole on the door, a system of locks, and CCTV? If agencies take physical descriptions and you can check what the client looks like before you let them into the apartment, you can protect yourself from people who, for whatever reason, are being deceptive.
- If you will be making outcalls to houses, it is vital to be aware of security procedures, such as will they take the client’s address and double check it to make sure a person of that name does really live there? It is preferable on these types of bookings to be taken by a driver, so you have someone physically on hand in case of emergencies; therefore, will the driver wait for you?
- Be mindful of agency expectations. Like many agency workers (whether in the sex industry or not) some find that the agency’s pressures to meet targets and provide service can impact upon the escort. So be clear about your boundaries and only work when you choose, for rates you are happy with and within your safety and privacy boundaries.