Using a condom correctly

- When you are "ready", open the packet carefully! Tearing the packet may damage the condom, esp. if you have long fingernails.

- Hold the tip of the condom between thumb + forefinger, to keep the air out. Making sure that the rolled-up part of the condom is on the outside.

- Holding back the foreskin, roll the condom, all the way down.

- Use only oil-free lube - and plenty of it. Lubricants which contain fat or oil such as Vaseline, Baby oil and Nivea cream, damage the condom and make it break more easily and this will not keep you safe.

(a german campain about safe sex)

- Withdraw your penis immediately after ejaculating (cumming), holding onto the condom firmly so that the condom won't slip off.

- Use every condom only once and then throw it away.

- Condoms should only be used once, and then thrown away.

- Throw used condoms in the bin, not in the toilet!

- By the way: You can get free condoms and lubricants at the male sex worker projects near you.

Sexual aggressors might be clients, but they could also be friends, acquaintances, drug dealers etc. Sexual violence can mean:

- not respecting agreements
- forcing you to have sex without a condom
- sex without payment
- locking you up
- rape

Whether or not you are a sex worker: You might experience sexual violence.

Sexual violence can never be justified, no matter how provocative you might look. Nor does it matter, how often and with how many partners you have sex. No one is allowed to hurt you (either physically, emotionally, or mentally).

Set your personal limits. If you are a sex worker, you may be tempted to allow others to treat you in ways that you would not otherwise put up with.

The question is always whether you agree to what happens or not.

- Try to appear as self-confident as possible. You will be less vulnerable that way.

- If it gets too much for you, look for a safe place to stay.

- Being on drugs makes you appear helpless and exploitable.

- Take a good look at your clients, before you go with them. Come to a clear agreement about where you’ll be going and what exactly is going to happen there. Trust your feelings. If somebody seems weird to you, don’t go with him/don’t get into his car.

- Make sure that your clothes are near by, in case you need to escape.

- Never wear necklaces, scarves or other things which you could be strangled with.

- Stay in well-lit places.

- Do not carry weapons as these might be used against you.

- If you are frightened, try not to show it. Try to appear as self-confident as possible and get yourself out of the threatening situation as soon as possible.

If you have suffered violence:

- Have the strength to talk about it!

- You are the only person who knows what is good for you at this moment. You are not alone! If you don’t have anyone to talk to right now, the people at the projects for male sex workers are always there for you.

- Its a good idea to see a doctor, as vital evidence may be left in or on your body or clothes, as clues of the perpetrator might be left.

- Write everything down: When, where and how it happened. A description of the culprit is also important. It is your experience, what you do with it is up to you.

- Sexual offenders are repeat offenders! If you report the culprit to the police you might prevent the same thing or worse, from happening to someone else.

- If you want to report someone to the police let the people at a project for male sex workers support you.

- Never go to the police alone.

- At the police station you don’t have to tell them anything that may go against you, e.g. about drugs.

- Being a sex worker is not against the law in Germany.

Dealing with clients

- Trust your feelings! Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.

- Be self-confident; come to an agreement concerning place, payment and sexual practices with your client beforehand. Insist on advance payment.

- Sex workers should warn each other about dangers and shady clients.

- Stick together if one of you is not well.

- Think of your health!

- Always use condoms and lubricants while having sex. Use only lube that won't damage condoms, like Eros, Softglide masculine.

- Never give a blow job without a condom! Condoms reduce the risk of gonorrhea, syphilis and other diseases.

- Don’t let blood or semen get inside your body!

- In bars where sex workers look for clients, ask the bar staff for free condoms and lubricants.

- If you aren’t sure if a certain client is o.k., ask the opinion of other guys or barstaff, that you trust.

- If you experience violence, ask the opinion of other guys or bar staff that you trust.

- At the train station, try to keep out of the way of security staff. They can ban you from entering the premises. They also have the right to check your particulars.

- During a police raid, stay calm and don’t let them provoke you.

- Know if people who offer their help will demand sex in return. This gives you the power to decide

- Social workers will never ask for sex in return for their help.