Healthy at Work

Each sex worker has varying personal reasons why they have chosen this profession. As with any type of work, of course, the main point is earning a living.

Although there is no apprenticeship for sex work, just like for any other profession, the following applies: You only become a professional by learning and experimenting.

The best places to learn are where you can get in contact with fellow sex workers. The kitchens and lounges at brothels, or the working areas and corners of street-based sex work are prime spaces to engage in sex worker skill sharing. Oftentimes, you get to learn simply by listening and asking questions to your fellow workers.

Experienced colleagues are the best counsellors to explain what is needed to engage in professional sex work. It is vital for you to sustainably cope with the everyday challenges of your job and to stay healthy.

This brochure aims to help you with this. It presents which aspects of the job you should consider and be aware of, what work equipment you may need, what you can do to protect your health in general, and how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and hepatitis.

It also gives you tips on how to protect yourself from violence, defend yourself against attacks, and what to do if somebody has caused you harm. At the end of the brochure, you will find an overview over which legal issues are important for sex workers, and places where you can get advice, support and more information.