Harm reduction for sex and sex work
The use of harm reduction principles can help to safeguard sex workers ’ lives in the same way that drug users have benefited from harm reduction strategies related to drug use . Many sex workers are exposed to serious harms : drug use , infections , violence , discrimination , debt , criminalisation , and exploitation ( non-voluntary sex work , such as child prostitution , trafficking for sex work , and exploitation of migrants .
Successful and promising harm reduction strategies are available : education , empowerment , prevention , care , occupational health and safety , decriminalisation of sex workers , and human rights-based approaches . Successful interventions include peer education , training in condom-negotiating skills , safety tips for street-based sex workers , male and female condom provision , linkage from HIV prevention to care , occupational health and safety guidelines for brothels , self-help organisations , and community-based child protection networks . Straightforward and achievable steps are available to improve the day-to-day lives of sex workers while they continue to work . Conceptualising and debating harm reduction strategies for sex workers can hasten this process .
Size up the Situation
o Listen to a potential client ’ s voice and observe body language . Listen to your instincts : if it doesn ’ t feel right , there ’ s a good chance it isn ’ t . o Make sure the client is alone . Getting into a car with more than one person increases your risks . Check behind the back seat to make sure that no one is hiding . o Always check car door handles before you get in to make sure they work from the inside . Make sure you know how to unlock the door before entering the car . Avoid vans . o Get the money first . o Check the address . If a client says he ’ s taking you to one place , but pulls up at another , this may not be all he ’ s lying about . Unless he ’ s a regular , avoid bridges and tunnels . o USE A BUDDY SYSTEM : Have a friend or co-worker write down the license plate number of the car before you drive off in it . Do the same when someone else goes off with a client . o If no one you know is around , ACT AS IF ! Call to the nearest passerby something in the veinof “ Seeyouatsuchandsuch , atsuchandsuchtime ”. Anythingto let