Before Work

• Dress nicely. You will be treated better and feel good about yourself.
• Dress warmly.
• Don’t wear anything around your neck that can be used to strangle or drag you, such as necklaces, scarves, etc.
• Wear shoes you can run in, or that you can slip off easily.
• Carry a whistle. While some prefer to carry weapons, such as mace, such things can be turned against you. A whistle is safe, small, compact, legal and loud.
• Pick up an ugly trick list before working. (Bad Date Sheet, Red Light Alert, Ugly Mug, etc.)

Where You Work

• Try to work in well-lit areas near a phone.
• Carry a charged cell phone. Even if you don’t have a plan, you can make a call to 911 from any cell phone as long as it’s charged.
• Carry change for the phone.
• Work with friends, if possible. If you have to work alone, carry a piece of chalk with you to write down the license plate of your next client on the sidewalk or wall where you are standing. Always casually tell a client you have been seen leaving in their car and are expected back at a certain time.
• Have a spotter.
• Make friends with the other workers around you so you can watch each other’s backs.
• Make friends with the beat cops in your neighbourhood, if possible. They’ll watch out for you more and take it more seriously if someone assaults you.

Before Getting In A Car

• Always stand back a little when the customer first pulls up.
• Familiarize yourself with types and makes of cars. And try to remember plate numbers.
• Ensure the client is alone in the vehicle. A panel van or other large vehicle where the interior is not visible could hide predators.
• Make sure there is a door handle on your door before you get in. Don’t get into cars that the driver has control over the locks.
• If the car is a mess, don’t get in.
• Make sure there is no gun, knife, rope, tape, or other weapon before you get in.
• Look at the customer and check his level of sobriety and emotional state. Is he agitated? Does he appear drunk? High on drugs? Mentally ill? Be sure of his mental state before entering the vehicle.
• Purchasing sex is illegal so do not talk about service or money through the car window or before entering the car. Get into the car but keep one foot on the ground outside the car while you negotiate what you will do and for how much. This way you have a better chance for escape if you are unwilling to accept the type of work the customer desires or the amount of money he is willing to pay.

Once In A Car (or at service location, if walking)

• Once terms are negotiated and you are in the car, continue to evaluate his emotional state. If you are unsure for any reason, plan your escape for as soon as the vehicle stops.
• If you have a cell phone, call someone or pretend to call someone as soon as you make the date and report where you’re going and something about your date that would help identify him. It may deter him from any ulterior motives.
• If you have a cell phone, record the license plate number in your phone or text it to a friend.

During the Date

• Tell the customer where you want to do the date and choose an area you are familiar with.
• Envision an escape route in case you need one. If it’s winter, see where you could hide under the snow.
• Whenever possible, take the customer somewhere inside. Preferably to a place where there are other people and even better if they are people you know. A client is far less likely to attack you if he knows there are other people around. Being indoors gives you somewhere to clean up after, as well.
• Don’t rip off the clients – they may take it out on you or other workers.
• Watch to make sure the client does not remove the condom without your knowledge.

If A Client Becomes Aggressive or Violent

• Tell him your name and try to humanize yourself by talking about your children or your life.
• You could also say you are HIV positive, but this tactic might cause more anger.
• Run into traffic and wave people down.
• If you have to run away through snow, cover your tracks. A worker in Prince George recommends getting on top of the snow and rolling so there are no tracks, then hide until the predator is gone.

After the Date

• Do not accept a ‘ride back’ to your corner. Whenever possible, exit the vehicle immediately after the session is over to prevent any further risk at the hands of a client.
• Share information with other sex workers. If you have had a bad experience with a client, pass the details on to organizations that have a direct connection to bad date reporting.

Supplies for the Street

• Zip-lock Baggies, in case you have to work in a car or schoolyard. This way you can take the condom and wrapper back and dispose of it in a way that respects the community.
• Wet naps – so you can clean a little if you are working in a car or outside.
• Mints – fresh breath always makes us feel better and is nice for the clients.
• Condoms.
• Lube.
• Lipstick.
• Sex toy – some clients will want no contact and just want to masturbate in front of you. If you have a toy, you can put on a show and the job will go a little faster.
• Cell phone.

What Not To Bring

• Never carry a weapon because it can be turned on you. Don’t give them something they can use against you.
• Do not carry your ID or any other items of personal value. If the client wants to rob you, you won’t be worried about letting him have your purse.