Informal Safety Mechanisms in Unsanctioned Indoor Sex Work Environments

Sharing information about violent clients

“We share advice on not to let every guy in the room [for a sexual transaction]. If someone already had them there, then they let the other girls know that it’s not safe for that guy to be in that room.” (Participant 14)

“I tell all the girls don’t go with that idiot in that Civic right there. That idiot took advantage of me, tried to kill me, murder me … .” (Participant 34)

Calling for help from other residents

“All I have to do is yell, and every girl in my building will be there, right? The guy gets scared and leaves. Sixteen girls show up at your door, banging on your door. He’s gonna go, right? People are remembered there too, right?” (Participant 27)

“I could scream and yell for help, and I’d have help there within seconds. My neighbours, you know? It makes a big difference! Oh yeah, all I have to do is like, ‘HELP!’ Boy oh boy, there’d be help right there. In a second! Oh yeah, when it comes to that, it doesn’t even matter if you’re arguing, or whatever, when it comes to getting help … doesn’t matter. It’s right there.” (Participant 28)

Self-defense strategies

“I’ve taken a crowbar after somebody already. He wasn’t giving me fuck all for cash. He started getting rough with me. And I said, ‘This is my fucking house, man. I pay the rent here. You’re not gonna do this to me.’ So I went around my side of my bed, and I’m pulling out the crowbar. And I said, ‘Now you put some money on that fucking table; if you don’t have the kind of cash, then get the fuck out, but you’re gonna leave with a fucking beating.’ You know, we have to have a safe environment. Now I do.” (Participant 36)

“I just tell them to leave, ’cause I’m a big girl. I pull the old psychotic act, and then they get scared and run out my door. I pull the old knife out, and they’re like, ‘Holy shit she’s got a knife out.’ I’d never use it on them; it’s just, you know, I like having it there.” (Participant 10)