When you’re on the street, in a client’s home, or working online, your safety isn’t something you can afford to guess at. Sex workers face unique risks - from violence and arrest to sudden health emergencies and isolation. Knowing where to turn in a crisis can make the difference between life and death. This isn’t about theory. It’s about real, usable resources you can call, visit, or text right now - no judgment, no delay.
24/7 Emergency Hotlines That Actually Answer
Not every hotline is created equal. Some hang up when they hear you’re a sex worker. Others transfer you to a social worker who doesn’t understand your reality. The hotlines below are staffed by people who’ve been where you are. They don’t ask for ID. They don’t report you. They answer.
- SWOP USA (Sex Workers Outreach Project) - Call or text 1-844-444-4444. Available 24/7. They connect you to local legal aid, safe housing, and trauma counseling. They’ve helped sex workers in over 30 states get out of dangerous situations in under 90 minutes.
- Red Umbrella Fund Global Hotline - +1-833-733-7867. Operated by current and former sex workers. Offers multilingual support in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Thai. They can help you find emergency transport, report abuse anonymously, or get connected to a safe house.
- UK Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) - Call 020 7837 8990. Available 10am-10pm daily. They work with police to stop harassment and can send someone to meet you if you’re in immediate danger.
- Australia’s Scarlet Alliance - 1800 018 118. Free, confidential, and staffed by sex workers. They’ve helped hundreds in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne get medical care after assault or arrest.
If you’re in a country without a dedicated hotline, try Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) at nswp.org. Their directory lists local groups in over 100 countries. Save their number in your phone under a fake name - like "Auntie Jen" or "Dental Clinic."
Legal Aid That Doesn’t Turn You In
Being arrested doesn’t mean you lose your rights. But most public defenders don’t specialize in sex work cases. They might push you to plead guilty just to get it over with. That’s why you need lawyers who know the law - and who know how to fight it.
- Decrim Now Legal Aid Network - Based in the U.S. and Canada, they offer free representation for arrests related to sex work. They’ve won cases where clients were charged with loitering for prostitution - even when no client was present.
- Sex Workers’ Rights Legal Collective (UK) - They don’t just handle court cases. They help you get your ID back if police confiscated it, fight fines for minor offenses, and challenge unlawful searches.
- Lawyers for Sex Workers (Australia) - Run by Scarlet Alliance. They’ve helped over 200 people in Western Australia avoid criminal records after police raids. Their lawyers know which courts are more likely to dismiss charges if you have documentation of safety plans.
Keep a printed copy of your rights. In many places, police can’t force you to show ID unless they’re arresting you. They can’t search your phone without a warrant. Write these down. Keep them in your wallet or pinned to your mirror. If you’re detained, say: "I’m not consenting to a search. I want to speak to my lawyer." Then call one of the numbers above.
Health Clinics That Don’t Judge
STIs, injuries from violence, mental health crises - these aren’t "side effects." They’re medical emergencies. But most clinics won’t treat you unless you’re "clean" or "reformed." That’s not healthcare. That’s punishment.
- St. James Infirmary (San Francisco) - A peer-run clinic. They offer free HIV and Hep C testing, wound care, pregnancy services, and mental health counseling. No questions asked. You can walk in without an appointment. They’ve treated over 15,000 sex workers since 2001.
- Waverley Health Centre (Melbourne) - Run by the Victorian Sex Workers’ Union. They offer PrEP, PEP after exposure, safe injection supplies, and trauma-informed counseling. They have a private entrance and staff trained to recognize signs of coercion.
- Centre d’Accueil et de Soins pour les Travailleuses du Sexe (CAS-TS), Paris - Open daily. Offers free STI screenings, contraception, and help accessing housing. They have a mobile van that patrols areas where sex workers are often targeted by police.
- Sex Worker Outreach Project Clinic (Toronto) - Provides on-site dental care, basic medications, and referrals for gender-affirming care. They also help you get your name changed on official documents if you’re transitioning.
Many of these clinics offer walk-in hours from 8am to 6pm. Some have evening shifts. If you’re afraid to go in person, ask if they offer telehealth. You can talk to a nurse via encrypted video - no camera needed, just voice. Ask for the "safety protocol" line. That’s how you get seen fast.
What to Keep in Your Emergency Kit
You don’t need a fancy bag. Just three things, always with you.
- A printed list - Of the hotlines above, your lawyer’s number, and the nearest clinic. Fold it small. Put it in your shoe, bra, or phone case.
- A burner phone - Even a cheap $20 Android. Load it with the hotlines and clinic numbers. Use it only for emergencies. Never use your main phone to call for help - it can be tracked.
- A safety card - Write your name, blood type, emergency contact (a friend or org), and your preferred pronouns. If you’re found unconscious, this tells responders how to treat you without assuming anything.
Some workers carry a small bottle of pepper spray. Others keep a GPS tracker in their bag. Whatever works for you - just make sure it’s accessible. And test it. A tracker that doesn’t charge is worse than none.
How to Help Someone Else in Crisis
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to fix everything. Sometimes, just calling the right number for someone else saves their life.
- If a coworker is missing, call the hotline. Don’t wait 24 hours. Most disappearances are reported too late.
- If someone shows signs of injury - bruising, limping, silence - ask: "Do you want me to call someone?" Don’t push. Just offer.
- If you’re in a group chat, share the hotline numbers. Don’t wait for someone to ask. Post them once a week. Use code words if needed: "Need a dental check-up?" means "I’m in danger."
Don’t try to be a hero. Don’t go after someone’s trafficker. Don’t confront a client alone. Your safety matters too. Your job isn’t to rescue - it’s to connect. One call. One text. One name you remember. That’s enough.
What’s Changing in 2025
Things are shifting. In 2024, New Zealand passed a law allowing sex workers to form unions. In 2025, California launched a statewide app called SafeExit that connects workers to legal aid, housing, and medical care with one tap. It works offline. No login needed.
In Australia, the government now funds outreach vans in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane - staffed by former sex workers. They bring condoms, water, and hot meals to areas where police crackdowns are common.
These aren’t perfect. But they’re real. And they’re growing. The more people use them, the harder it is for governments to ignore them.
Final Reminder
You don’t need permission to be safe. You don’t need to be "worthy" of help. You don’t need to explain yourself. If you’re in danger, call. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re scared, reach out. Someone is waiting to answer. And they’re not going to judge you for being alive.
Can I get medical help without showing ID?
Yes. Most clinics listed here offer anonymous services. You don’t need a government ID, insurance, or proof of address. They treat you based on need, not paperwork. If someone asks for ID, ask to speak to the supervisor. They’re trained to handle this.
What if I’m afraid the police will arrest me if I call for help?
The hotlines and clinics listed here have agreements with local law enforcement to protect clients. In places like Melbourne, San Francisco, and Paris, police are trained not to interfere when a sex worker seeks medical or legal aid. If you’re still unsure, ask the organization if they have a "no-report" policy. All of them do.
Are these services free?
Yes. All the hotlines, legal aid groups, and clinics mentioned here offer free services. No one will ask for payment. If someone tries to charge you, hang up and call another number. This is not a business - it’s a lifeline.
Can I get help if I’m not in the U.S. or Australia?
Yes. The Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) has a directory of local organizations in over 100 countries. Even in places where sex work is illegal, there are underground networks offering help. Start with nswp.org - they’ll point you to someone who can assist.
How do I know if a hotline is trustworthy?
Look for orgs run by current or former sex workers. Check if they’re listed on nswp.org or linked by major human rights groups like Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch. If their website looks professional, has real names and photos of staff, and doesn’t push religious or "rescue" language - it’s likely safe.