Safety & Security
Personal safety, emergency numbers, and protection against assaults. What should you do if you are the victim of an assault or rape? Call the police (117)…
Questions in this area
What should you do if you are the victim of an assault or rape?
Call the police (117) or emergency medical services (144) immediately—even as a sex worker, you are fully protected under criminal law (Art. 189/190 of the Swiss Criminal Code, Federal Supreme Court ruling 2017). If you do not want to call the police directly: Aspasie (Geneva), Xenia (Bern), FIZ (Zurich), and ProCoRe will assist you anonymously, confidentially, and free of charge. If possible, do not wash away evidence, keep your clothing, and have any injuries documented by a doctor—even if you do not file a criminal complaint.
How can I protect my identity and privacy?
Keep your work and personal lives strictly separate: use a separate phone with a prepaid SIM card, a stage name, and a separate bank account (Postkonto, Neon, and Yuh are discreet); avoid profile photos that can be found via Google Image Search (flip or crop images before uploading, and delete EXIF data). Regularly check your own images using reverse image search. WhatsApp obfuscation tools like ContactGuard help protect your real number.
How often should I get tested for STIs, and where?
Recommendation from Checkpoints and SEXUAL HEALTH SWITZERLAND: a comprehensive screening every 3 months (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B/C). Free or low-cost testing available at: Checkpoint Zurich/Geneva/Lausanne/Basel/Lugano, Aspasie Geneva, Xenia Bern, Women’s Crisis Hotline. In case of sexual exposure to risk, PEP within 48 hours (hospital emergency room). HPV vaccination is also recommended.
How can I identify potentially dangerous customers?
Warning signs: aggressive greeting, hostile reaction to safety questions, attempts to negotiate agreed-upon prices or practices, signs of alcohol or drug use, refusal to show identification, pressure to pay "cash only, no receipt." Safety best practices: Require a preliminary phone call, ask for real name and hotel name for outcalls, inform a backup person about the appointment (“buddy system”), agree on an emergency code word, track the appointment via an app (Find My / Google Maps Sharing).
Other topics
Law & Permits
Permit requirements, restricted areas, and regional differences within Switzerland.
Taxes & Social Security
Tax obligations, AHV registration, and bookkeeping for sex workers.
Workplace
Advertising, pricing, house rules, and customer service.
Migration & Residency
EU/EFTA, third countries, registration requirement for foreign sex workers.
These answers provide general information and are not a substitute for individual legal advice. If you have specific questions, please contact a specialized agency (see Contact Information) or a lawyer.