Buddy System for Sex Workers: Safety, Support, and Real-World Strategies

When it comes to staying safe while working, the buddy system, a practiced safety method where two or more workers check in with each other before, during, and after meetings. Also known as peer safety pairing, it’s one of the most effective, low-tech tools a sex worker can use—not because it’s perfect, but because it works when nothing else does. This isn’t about having someone tag along for company. It’s about creating a chain of accountability: someone who knows where you are, when you’re due to check in, and what to do if you don’t.

The peer support, mutual aid between sex workers to share information, resources, and emotional backing. Also known as worker solidarity networks, it turns isolation into strength. A buddy doesn’t need to be on the same shift. They just need to be reliable. That could mean texting a code word after a client leaves, calling at 11 p.m. to confirm you’re home, or sharing a new red flag you heard from another worker. These aren’t hypotheticals. Real workers in Manchester, Glasgow, and Leeds use this daily to avoid violence, scams, and arrest.

And it’s not just about emergencies. The safety protocols, structured steps sex workers follow to reduce risk during client interactions. Also known as risk management routines, it includes things like using encrypted apps to share location, keeping a fake itinerary ready, or having a go-to person who can call the police if needed—even if you don’t trust them. These protocols only work if someone else is watching. One person forgets. Two people remember.

You’ll find stories here from workers who used the buddy system to walk away from a violent client, who got pulled out of a dangerous situation because their buddy called the cops before they could, and who built networks that replaced family, landlords, and even therapists. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re real experiences from people who’ve been there.

Some think the buddy system is outdated. That it’s for street workers only. But the truth? It’s more vital now than ever. With digital tools, you can have a buddy across the country. You can use automated check-in apps, voice messages, or even timed alarms that trigger alerts if you don’t respond. The core hasn’t changed: someone needs to know you’re alive. The tools just got better.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of generic tips. It’s a collection of real, tested strategies—from how to pick your first buddy without getting burned, to how to handle it when your buddy ghosts you, to how to set boundaries that keep both of you safe. You’ll see how sex workers in Australia use it to fight eviction, how tour escorts rely on it to manage group risks, and how medical escorts use it to track patient safety during transit. It’s all connected. Because safety isn’t a one-person job. It’s a system. And the buddy system? It’s the backbone of every working sex worker’s survival plan.