Futureproofed Workshop #27: Personal and Digital Security
Tips and tricks for protecting yourself online and in-person by Aspen Love
*Please note this workshop originally contained information on screening and self-defence that cannot be shared publicly for the safety of the sex work community. Please send a request to info@biggersisterchannel.com.au verifying that you are a sex worker (such as providing links to advertisements or socials) if you would like this information.
CONTENT WARNING: This blog contains information on personal and digital security practices and may be triggering for some readers.
This blog will go over digital device security, exploring safety equipment, strategies to keep yourself safe during bookings and online, looking at your digital footprint and metadata. Key discussion points will include preventive tactics, what do in an emergency situation and aftercare
Skills you will gain:
How to look after your digital safety.
Preventative tactics.
What to do in an emergency.
Aftercare.
What to look for at an outcall.
How to set up your incall safely.
Consent and boundaries.
Discussion on different safety equipment and the legal system
đPart 1: What do I need to feel safe?
Letâs start with basicsâŚ
We need to identify our own personal boundaries. What is a great booking for one person can be another's idea of a bad time. Envision yourself in your ideal situation. What does it look like? How does it feel?
Factors to consider when identifying our own personal boundaries
Workspace Environment
Do you feel safest in your personal incall where you know the space well? A hotel with on sight concierge or staff in case of emergency or in a clientâs home where they do not know your personal or work location? There are pros and cons to each situation.
Booking Types
Do you prefer short bookings and like to get them in and out quick. Longer bookings that take more time but see less clients. Are you a dancer, massage, full service or BDSM/Kink provider? What are your personal limits with services offered and what extra are you comfortable with.
Additional Factors
Other factors that can influence how safe you feel in a booking. Who knows where you are? What state of mind are you in? Are there substances like alcohol or drugs involved with the client or yourself? If it is an outcall how many people are on the property?
đ§ Activity: Personal Boundaries Brainstorm
We can start with writing three lists.
The first list should be things that feel the best, align with us the most, and are in our comfort zone.
The second list should be things we will tolerate but do not feel the best.
The third list should be things we do not allow, these are deal breakers. They can be uncomfortable to think about, but it is an important step to identify these things in theory to know what to avoid in person.
âď¸Part 2: Safety Steps
Photo by Melissa Walker Horn on Unsplash
Always get payment before the booking commences.
Set up a safety plan.
Write the details of your booking or screenshot and send to another person. It is good to have a buddy who you let know where, when and for how long you are going.Screen your client.
Everyone's process is different as what works for some, doesnât for others. Here are a few suggestions: photo of ID/LinkedIn profile, a deposit, or references from workerâs theyâve previously seen.Evaluate the situation on arrival.
What state does the client appear to be? Mood/intoxicated etc. Are there other people on the property? Are there any dangerous objects around?Check in and out at the beginning and end of booking.
Make sure you have all your money and belongings. Is everything where it should be? Are there any additional objects in your bag?
đťPart 2: Advertising Safety Basics
Tips and tricks for improving your digital security while using advertising directories.
Have a different client contact email to your sign in email.
Always double check emails from your advertising platform to make sure they are not phishing scams.
Set up 2FA on all passwords.
Have an authenticator app like 1Password.
Create strong passwords.
Change your passwords every 3 months.
Use a different device to log in to your advertising platforms than your work phone, in case it is lost, stolen or compromised .
If you are able to have everything backed up on a separate secure device that is offline.
Install a privacy and security focused operating system like Tails or Qubes.
Turn on encryption on your devices. This automatically sets up when you create a password on some devices, but double check for your specific device.
đŚPart 3: Sexual Health & Staying Safe
Put simply, an STI is an infection that is passed from one person to another through sexual contact.
There are different kinds of STIs, all with different effects. You might have heard the myth that ejaculation needs to occur for an STI to spread, but that isnât the case. So make sure youâre protecting yourself from STIs right from the start of sexual contact.
For more information on STIâs.
Tips for safer sex to minimise your risk of contracting an STI
Perform sexual health check on all your clients. This includes the area around the genitals. Pull foreskin back if they have one. Use bright lights or in a well lit room.
Everyoneâs boundaries are different, and as sex workers it is your choice what sort of protection you use. Condoms and dental dams are the best form of barrier protection against STIs.
Get checked regularly. It is recommended to be tested for STIâs every 3 months, unless you have symptoms or have had a condom break. Some feel more comfortable testing every month, or for work reasons if they are content creators.
You can visit Scarlet Alliance website for their recommended testing time frames.
How to get Checked for an STI
Ask for an STI screening at your local GP, Community Health Centre, or Sexual Health Precinct.
Alternatively, you can access pathology request forms online at Instant Scripts, Stigma Health, and Sistr (free for Medicare card holders).
About the presenter: Aspen Love
Aspen Love is an independent sex worker with experience working in most sectors of the industry all across Australia for the last decade. She is passionate about keeping the community safe, and physically, digitally, mentally secure.
Follow Aspen on Instagram here.
This information has been verified as correct at the time of publishing. If you think something in this blog is not correct please send us a message.
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: Please note this advice is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.