Getting from one job to the next shouldn’t feel like a gamble. For sex workers, transportation isn’t just about getting there-it’s about staying alive. Whether you’re using ride-hailing apps, hailing a taxi, or planning to leave the industry, the way you move matters. Too many stories end in silence because someone didn’t have a safe way to get home. This isn’t about theory. It’s about what works when you’re alone, tired, and in an unfamiliar place.
Why Regular Ride-Hailing Apps Can Be Dangerous
Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft seem like a good idea at first. You tap a button, a car shows up, and you’re on your way. But for sex workers, these apps come with hidden risks. Drivers can see your pickup location. They can see your destination. If you’re using the same app every night, patterns emerge. Someone with bad intentions can track your routine-when you leave, where you go, how long you stay.
There’s also the issue of driver bias. Some drivers refuse rides to people they assume are sex workers. Others ask invasive questions. In cities like Toronto, London, and Melbourne, sex workers have reported being dropped off far from their destination, charged extra, or even threatened. Apps don’t always protect you. They just make it easier for someone to find you.
That’s why many sex workers avoid using these apps altogether. Or they use them in ways that cut down the risk. One common trick: set your pickup location to a nearby café, gas station, or public building-not your actual address. That way, the driver doesn’t know where you’re coming from. Another: use a burner phone or a secondary account so your main number stays hidden. Don’t let your profile picture show your face. Use a generic name like ‘J’ or ‘Alex’.
Taxis: The Old-School Option That Still Works
Taxis might feel outdated, but they’re often safer than apps. Why? Because you can see the driver before you get in. You can check the license plate. You can walk away if something feels off. In cities with regulated taxi systems-like Berlin, Amsterdam, or Sydney-you can call a dispatch center and get a verified driver.
Some sex workers use taxi services that specialize in nightlife or adult industry clients. These aren’t always advertised online. They’re passed by word of mouth. In places like Vancouver or Los Angeles, drivers who’ve worked with sex workers for years know how to handle the job: no questions asked, no judgment, no lingering. They drop you off, wait if you need them to, and leave without making eye contact.
Always ask for the driver’s name and taxi ID before getting in. Take a photo of the license plate. Share your route with a trusted friend-even if it’s just a text that says, ‘Going to 5th and Elm, ETA 10:30.’ If you’re in a city with a taxi app, use it. But avoid apps that show your real location. Stick to ones that let you set a pickup point without revealing your exact address.
How to Use Ride-Hailing Safely: A Real-World Checklist
If you’re going to use a ride-hailing app, here’s what actually works:
- Use a secondary phone number. Get a free VoIP number from Google Voice or TextNow. Never link your personal number to the app.
- Set pickup at a public spot. Choose a well-lit, busy location-like a 24-hour pharmacy, convenience store, or bus stop-not your door.
- Don’t use your real name. Use initials or a nickname. Avoid anything that sounds like a sex worker alias.
- Share your trip details. Use the app’s trip-sharing feature to send your route to a friend. Or text someone the driver’s name and license plate.
- Wait until the car arrives. Don’t stand outside waiting. Wait inside a store, then walk out only when the car is pulling up.
- Check the car before you get in. Match the license plate, make, and model to the app. If it doesn’t match, walk away.
- Sit in the back seat. Always. Even if the driver says it’s fine to sit up front.
- Keep your phone charged and unlocked. If something goes wrong, you need to call 911 or your emergency contact fast.
These steps aren’t optional. They’re survival tools. One sex worker in Portland told me she once got into a car that didn’t match the app. She stayed seated, pretended to be on a call, and waited until the driver pulled over to ask directions. Then she got out and walked to a gas station. She called the police. The driver was arrested for impersonation.
Exit Plans: Getting Out Isn’t Just About Money
Leaving sex work isn’t just about saving enough cash. It’s about safety during the transition. When you stop working, you don’t just stop taking clients. You stop being seen. And that makes you vulnerable. Many people who leave don’t have a plan for how to get home safely on their last night-or how to disappear without being tracked.
Exit plans need to include transportation. That means:
- Having a trusted friend or advocate pick you up on your last shift-no apps, no taxis, just someone who knows you.
- Storing a change of clothes, shoes, and ID in a safe place so you can leave your work clothes behind.
- Using public transit or walking to a new location after your last job so your usual route isn’t tied to your new life.
- Deleting apps, changing passwords, and turning off location services on all devices before you leave.
Organizations like SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Project) and Red Umbrella Fund help with exit logistics. They don’t just offer counseling-they help arrange rides, secure temporary housing, and connect you with people who can drive you to a new city without asking questions.
One woman in Chicago left sex work after seven years. She didn’t tell anyone she was quitting. On her last night, she texted a friend: ‘Pick me up at the 7-Eleven on 31st at 2 a.m.’ She wore a hoodie, left her phone in the car, and got in the back seat. That’s how she disappeared.
What to Do If You’re Being Followed or Harassed
If you feel like someone’s watching you, don’t go home. Don’t go to your usual spot. Go to a police station, hospital, or open 24-hour business. Walk in. Say, ‘I feel unsafe.’ You don’t need to explain. You don’t need to prove anything. Most officers will call for a supervisor or social worker to help you.
If you’re being followed by a car, don’t try to lose them on your own. Drive or walk into a public place. Call 911 and say, ‘I’m being followed by a vehicle. I don’t know who it is.’ Give them your location, the car’s description, and the license plate if you can. Even if you don’t have proof, they’ll respond. Your safety matters more than your privacy.
Some cities have sex worker safety hotlines. In New York, you can text ‘SAFE’ to 888-888. You’ll get a response from someone trained in harm reduction-not law enforcement. They can help you find a safe ride, a place to stay, or someone to talk to.
Building a Personal Safety Network
You don’t have to do this alone. Many sex workers have informal networks: a group of people who check in, share rides, and watch each other’s backs. It’s not about being part of an organization. It’s about having someone who knows your routine-and will call the cops if you don’t check in.
Start small. Pick one person you trust. Swap phone numbers. Agree on a code word-if you text ‘pineapple,’ it means you need help. If you don’t hear from you by midnight, they call the police. That’s it. No drama. No paperwork. Just one person who knows you’re worth protecting.
Some workers keep a ‘safety kit’ in their bag: a portable charger, a small flashlight, a whistle, and a printed list of local emergency contacts. They don’t need to use it every night. But when they do, it makes all the difference.
Final Thought: Safety Isn’t Perfect-But It’s Possible
There’s no magic app that makes sex work safe. No law that erases the risks. But there are real, simple things you can do every day to reduce them. Use a burner phone. Share your ride. Trust your gut. Have a plan for leaving. Know where to go if something goes wrong.
Safety isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared. And if you’re reading this, you’re already taking steps most people never even think about.
Can I use Uber or Lyft safely as a sex worker?
Yes-but only if you take steps to protect your identity. Use a secondary phone number, set pickup at a public location, avoid using your real name, and never share your exact address. Never rely on the app’s safety features alone. Always verify the car before getting in and share your trip with someone you trust.
What’s safer: taxis or ride-hailing apps?
Taxis are often safer because you can see the driver and vehicle before you get in. Regulated taxi services let you call a dispatch center, get a verified driver, and request a specific pickup point. Ride-hailing apps expose your location and routine to strangers. If you use apps, treat them as a last resort and follow strict safety steps.
How do I safely exit sex work without being tracked?
Plan your exit like a relocation. Use a trusted friend to pick you up on your last night. Delete all work-related apps, change passwords, and turn off location services. Store clean clothes and ID in a safe place. Avoid using your usual routes or pickup spots. Organizations like SWOP can help with transportation, housing, and ID replacement if needed.
What should I do if I’m being followed?
Go to a public place immediately-a police station, hospital, or 24-hour store. Call 911 and say you’re being followed. Don’t try to escape alone. Even if you don’t have proof, authorities are trained to respond to these reports. In some cities, sex worker safety hotlines (like ‘SAFE’ to 888-888 in NYC) can connect you with help without involving police unless you want to.
Are there apps made specifically for sex worker safety?
Yes. Apps like Safeworker and Project Respect let you share your location with trusted contacts, log client details anonymously, and alert others if you’re in danger. Some are designed for use in specific countries. Check with local sex worker advocacy groups for recommendations. Avoid apps that require your real name or location data.
If you’re thinking about leaving sex work, know this: your safety doesn’t end when you stop working. It just changes shape. The same tools that kept you safe on the job-planning, trusting your gut, having a backup plan-will help you walk away. You don’t need permission to be safe. You just need to act.