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Condom break
In case of condom break, the ideal reaction is to ask your client if he / she usually takes risks with other partners. This presupposes that you trust the customer’s answers : it’s up to you to know if you trust him or her.
After a risky intrecourse, do not wash your private parts in the shower. Jet pressure could increase the risk of contamination by creating microlesions on the mucous membranes. Go to pee, and push to get out the semen out of the vagina.
If a risk-taking is proven, it would be ideal to go as soon as possible (i.e immediately) to the emergency service of the nearest hospital and explain the situation to a doctor. Tell him that you have had more than 5 partners in the last 6 months and that the person with whom the condom broke also. This will justify to take a treatment called “post exposure prophylaxis“.
Post exposure prophylaxis is an anti-HIV treatment you’ll have to take for a month. It is CAPITAL that you start this treatment within 48 hours after taking the risk because the faster the treatment is taken, the more effective it is. It is important to know that this treatment will cost about CHF 2‘000.- and that it is reimbursed by the health insurance when it is prescribed in the context of emergencies.
It is also possible to convince your client to do the same day HIV test with you in a medical laboratory. Most laboratories charge this service at a relatively low price. You will both be very reassured if the result is negative. Be careful, however, it will leave a small margin of doubt as to the last 3 months before taking risk.
Addresses of partner labs:
- Geneva : Aspasie organizes screening tests for free (HIV + STI) every 2 weeks.
You can also go to a partner lab Anabio, HIV test : 30 CHF, HIV + STI : 80 CHF – rue de Lausanne 67 – 1202 Geneva. Tel: 022 738 18 18
- Lausanne: VISTA. Policlinique médicale universitaire (PMU), rue du Bugnon 44, 1011 Lausanne. Tel : 021 314 49 17
Medical problem
In case of a medical emergency, dial 144, give your location first and explain your symptoms. If you call for a customer , give also your location and explain if the customer is aware and / or breathe. If he / she does not breathe, you are facing a medical emergency and you must first clear the airway (head back), breathe twice in the nose by closing the mouth and then do 30 chest compressions. This is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Then repeat this cycle of 2 breaths and 30 chest compressions until help arrives.
If the health problem affects you personally and is not an emergency, a first question arises: what is your work permit ?
If you work with the 90 days, you will only have the right to reimbursement of medical emergencies in Switzerland by the insurance of your country. Also, for treatment and consultations, it is possible to go to structures for people without residence permit such as CAMSCO in Geneva and PMU in Lausanne. You can also contact the organizations for sex workers Aspasie & Fleur de Pavé who can direct you to places of free care. Also remember that consultations and treatments are less expensive in France, Italy and Germany if you decide to pay by yourself.
About screening
Sex work exposes to a large number of sexually transmitted infections (STI). The most common are those that are caught through oral relationship (chlamydia, syphilis), genital and anal intercourses (mycoplasma, ureaplasma, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV). If you have diarrhea, do not forget the digestive infections ( giardiasis , amebiasis, spirochetosis) acquired by oro-anal contact.
We recommend you to do a check-up every 6 months for the most common diseases: chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, HIV.
To do it, the organizations Aspasie, Fleur de Pavé, Grisélidis Fribourg or AIDES Annemasse can help you.
We also recommend vaccinations against HPV and hepatitis B.
In case of violence or aggression
Despite the fact that you perform sex work, it is possible to be a victim of rape or sexual assault while practicing your activity. Just because you are a prostitute does not mean that your customer has the right to impose sexual act to you, and in no way your job could be an excuse.
In case of violence or aggression, it is essential not to wash or change yourself and to go to a hospital or medical service as soon as possible to have the assault confirmed by a doctor who will give you a medical certificate for the aggression. You can then return home, change and rest. After this, you will think about the complaint to the police.
If you need support to go to the police, do not hesitate to contact the associations Aspasie and Fleur de Pavé. A social worker could go with you.
In case of emergency, call emergency number 117.
Burn out : Need help or support
Sex work is a demanding activity where one is often confronted with solitude because of the secrets that surrounds him or the feeling of being stuck , to have no other choice. These two feelings sometimes lead to burnout . It is very exactly in this case that it is important not to be alone !
The signs of burnout are close to those of depression and are:
- Chronic fatigue and mental exhaustion, which does not disappear even after a break (for ex : holidays).
- Distance from work, that is to say, the loss of pleasure and motivation at work and can lead to the desire to change jobs.
- Physical disorders, such as insomnia, repetitive illnesses, lack of appetite, digestive problems, headaches and backaches, vertigo, palpitations.
- Psychic disorders: increased irritability, increased inner anxiety, inability to detach after work, agitation, feeling of emptiness, lack of spirit, fear, boredom, despair, resignation, frustration, feeling of uselessness.
- Difficulty of concentration and decision making, doubts about oneself.
- Behavior change, such as withdrawal, hyperactivity, substance use with high risk of addiction, more interest in recreational activities
If this table speaks to you, come and confide to the social workers of Aspasie and Fleur de Pavé They will be able to lend you an attentive ear and help you to find solutions when you do not see any more …
Sexual practices and risks
| Infection |
Pathologie |
| HIV |
Syndrome d’immunodéficience acquise (SIDA) |
| Hépatite B, C |
Hépatite chronique, cancer du foie |
| Syphilis |
Neuro-syphilis et démence |
| Tuberculose |
Pneumonie, Infection rénale, cardiaque et urogénitale |
| Chlamydia |
Stérilité chez la femme + Cancer col uterus ?? |
| Trichomonas |
Prostatite et baisse de la fertilité. Vaginite chronique |
| Giardia |
Diarrhées et fatigue chroniques |
| Amibes |
Diarrhées chroniques, péricardite, abcès cérébral |
| HPVs |
Cancers (col de l utérus, oro-pharynx, ano-rectal) |
| Gonno Chlam? |
brulures uro-genitales,ecoulement ….?? |
Dear escorts and sex workers (women)
Sex work is a job and as in any job, there are things to learn before you start. Prostitution is not like making love in one’s private life! The SexopraxiS center in Lausanne gives classes to practice sex work safely and by teaching tips and tricks to know in this business.
Many young escorts who had setbacks and report them in the associations often exclaimed : » If only I had known! »
That’s why the fairsexwork recommendations are usefull (you’ll find it also on the Aspasia website).
These recommendations are there to make your professional life easier. Sex work is a difficult activity and it is important to practice it with the utmost judgment and with the least possible risk.
- In Switzerland, the practice of prostitution is legal. Each canton has a law specific to the practice of sex work. In most cantons, you must be in possession of a residence permit and registered by the police.
- Do not accept verbal abuse, physical abuse, or humiliation if they are not part of a benefit and they are not « played « .
- In case of aggression, go to the police to file a complaint! This step is not always easy. Ask for help from a close person or association such as Aspasia, Fleur de Pavé or Griselidis.
- Be aware of your limits, do not accept a practice that disgusts you. Do not promise the customer what you will not accept later!
- Do not advertise on the Internet with a photo that is not yours. This will disappoint the customer if you do not meet his expectations and it may expose you to setbacks.
- Respect the rates shown and do not try » to scam « the customer by promising him a low price and increasing it when he / she is in front of you: this could make him / her aggressive and violent .
- Explain to the client that it is best not to kiss with the tongue. Many sexually transmitted infections or STIs are carried by saliva, including syphilis, chlamydia and herpes.
- Think carefully before making the decision to practice unprotected oral sex! For personal reasons, some escorts practice natural blowjob (oral sex without condom but without ejaculation in the mouth). This practice, although not transmitting HIV / AIDS, still transmits diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis, mycoplasma and ureaplasma . These diseases can have a major impact on your fertility, your health, and those around you.
- Protect your health, use a condom for any penetration.
- Always clean and disinfect your dildos and other work tools (forceps, handcuffs, whips). Always change any razorblades and probes after each use.
- Make sure a colleague always knows where you are and with whom. If this is not possible, make believe that you are not alone [radio, tv, etc …].
- Never wear a scarf, tight jewelry around your neck or earrings. An ill- intentioned client could seize it.
- Respect the professional secret and never call back a number after a missed call. You could embarrass the client.
- Never steal a client . This gives a bad image of sex work and will only bring you in trouble.
Dear escorts and trans sex workers
Sex work is a job and as in any job, there are things to learn before you start. Prostitution is not like making love in one’s private life! The SexopraxiS center in Lausanne gives classes to practice sex work safely and by teaching tips and tricks to know in this business.
Many young escorts who had setbacks and report them in the associations often exclaimed : » If only I had known ! »
That’s why the fairsexwork recommendations are usefull (you’ll find it also on the Aspasie website).
These recommendations are there to make your professional life easier. Sex work is a difficult activity and it is important to practice it with the utmost judgment and with the least possible risk.
- In Switzerland, the practice of prostitution is legal. Each canton has a law specific to the practice of sex work. In most cantons, you must be in possession of a residence permit and registered by the police.
- Do not accept verbal abuse, physical abuse, or humiliation if they are not part of a benefit and they are not « played « .
- In case of aggression, go to the police to file a complaint! This step is not always easy. Ask for help from a close person or association such as Aspasia, Fleur de Pavé or Griselidis.
- Be aware of your limits, do not accept a practice that disgusts you. Do not promise the customer what you will not accept later!
- Do not advertise on the Internet with a photo that is not yours. This will disappoint the customer if you do not meet his expectations and it may expose you to setbacks.
- Respect the rates shown and do not try » to scam « the customer by promising him a low price and increasing it when he / she is in front of you: this could make him / her aggressive and violent .
- Explain to the client that it is best not to kiss with the tongue. Many sexually transmitted infections or STIs are carried by saliva, including syphilis, chlamydia and herpes.
- Think carefully before making the decision to practice unprotected oral sex! For personal reasons, some escorts practice natural blowjob (oral sex without condom but without ejaculation in the mouth). This practice, although not transmitting HIV / AIDS, still transmits diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis, mycoplasma and ureaplasma . These diseases can have a major impact on your fertility, your health, and those around you.
- Protect your health, use a condom for any penetration.
- Always clean and disinfect your dildos and other work tools (forceps, handcuffs, whips). Always change any razorblades and probes after each use.
- Make sure a colleague always knows where you are and with whom. If this is not possible, make believe that you are not alone [radio, tv, etc …].
- Never wear a scarf, tight jewelry around your neck or earrings. An ill- intentioned client could seize it.
- Respect the professional secret and never call back a number after a missed call. You could embarrass the client.
- Never steal a client . This gives a bad image of sex work and will only bring you in trouble.
- Avoid to self-administer yourself hormones. Indeed, transgender escorts can sometimes use too high doses of hormones and cause damage to their heath. It is better to seek advice from the associations Agnodice , Aspasie and Fleur de Pavé to find an endocrinologist who will help you find the appropriate dosage.
Dear escorts and male sex workers,
- In Switzerland, the practice of prostitution is legal. Each canton has a law specific to the practice of sex work. In most cantons, you must be in possession of a residence permit and registered by the police.
- Do not accept verbal abuse, physical abuse, or humiliation if they are not part of a benefit and they are not « played « .
- In case of aggression, go to the police to file a complaint! This step is not always easy. Ask for help from a close person or association such as Aspasia, Fleur de Pavé or Griselidis.
- Be aware of your limits, do not accept a practice that disgusts you. Do not promise the customer what you will not accept later!
- Do not advertise on the Internet with a photo that is not yours. This will disappoint the customer if you do not meet his expectations and it may expose you to setbacks.
- Respect the rates shown and do not try » to scam « the customer by promising him a low price and increasing it when he / she is in front of you: this could make him / her aggressive and violent .
- Explain to the client that it is best not to kiss with the tongue. Many sexually transmitted infections or STIs are carried by saliva, including syphilis, chlamydia and herpes.
- Think carefully before making the decision to practice unprotected oral sex! For personal reasons, some escorts practice natural blowjob (oral sex without condom but without ejaculation in the mouth). This practice, although not transmitting HIV / AIDS, still transmits diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis, mycoplasma and ureaplasma . These diseases can have a major impact on your fertility, your health, and those around you.
- Protect your health, use a condom for any penetration.
- Always clean and disinfect your dildos and other work tools (forceps, handcuffs, whips). Always change any razorblades and probes after each use.
- Make sure a colleague always knows where you are and with whom. If this is not possible, make believe that you are not alone [radio, tv, etc …].
- Never wear a scarf, tight jewelry around your neck or earrings. An ill- intentioned client could seize it.
- Respect the professional secret and never call back a number after a missed call. You could embarrass the client.
- Never steal a client . This gives a bad image of sex work and will only bring you in trouble.
Dear clients,
1. Sex workers have the opportunity to work freely in Switzerland. Swiss law, aware that it is unfair to criminalize the oldest profession in the world, allows these women and men to earn money by bringing you pleasure. You and the worker’s are therefore partners. As partners, both of you should be concerned about having good time together.
2. Sometimes, you ask for unprotected sex. How can a woman or a man who accepts unprotected sex with you refuse it to others? If a sex worker agrees to have sex with you without protecting herself/himself, she / he represents a risk to herself and to you and your other partners.
Do not ask for intercourses without condom.
Any penetration, whether vaginal or anal, must be protected. Use lubricant to make the intercourse more enjoyable and to minimize the impact of the condom on your feelings. You will also minimize the risk of a condom break.
If the condom really stops you from having an erection, think of the Femidom : it‘s a condom that go into the vagina or into the anus of your partner. Think also about the ultra-thin polyurethane condom. Not only is it thinner, and also resistant, but it also causes less allergies. It is sell in pharmacies.
3. Regarding oral sex, you often ask for it without condom. If it is proven now that HIV is not transmitted by this way without ejaculation, do not forget the other sexually transmitted infections. Know that every unprotected blowjob exposes you to:
syphilis (bacteria),
Chlamydia (bacteria),
mycoplasma and ureaplasma (bacteria),
gonorrhea (bacteria),
herpes (virus),
warts (virus)
…que vous fassiez ou que vous receviez une fellation.
All these diseases can be disabling and / or painful. Life is too short to compromise your sexual health and your family plans. In women, STIs can give no symptoms and lead to infertility. Others may cause miscarriages or newborn diseases.
It is the same for cunnilingus: it is very exciting to touch, or even lick a vulva. Although the chances of getting HIV are low, the risk of getting one of the above-mentioned sexual infections is the same as for oral sex. The genital sphere of sex workers is their working tool, so it must remain healthy and clean. It is therefore preferable that you wash your hands before touching a vulva (you can also put a latex glove) and that you practice cunnilingus with a dental dam (small square latex or condom cut lengthwise).
- No violence with sex workers. They are independant workers . They propose services that they choose themselves to offer, legally. This implies that neither the schedules, nor the services, or the prices can be imposed. It is up to them to decide their services, their schedules, their rates and the words you can use. During sexual service, avoid words that could hurt unless it is part of the service contract.
- Any practice is possible if it is the result of an agreement. However, this agreement must only be made if both parties are informed of the medical and legal risks. In this regard, know that:
- HIV / AIDS is transmitted through vaginal and anal intercourse and ejaculation in the mouth. Anyone with HIV and do risky practices could be criminally prosecuted.
- Hepatitis C is particularly transmissible by blood. It requires high vigilance for sexual contact during menstruation and during unprotected anal intercourse. It is also transmitted when using non-sterile syringes.
- Hepatitis B, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, gonococci and trichomonas are highly sexually transmitted.
- Hepatitis B, chlamydia and gonococci can be transmitted by saliva or sperm from the eyes.
- Syphilis and herpes are highly transmissible by saliva and kissing. The skin lesions of syphilis are also dangerous by simple contact.
- The condylomas are highly infectious and they are transmissible by any penetration, whether vaginal, anal or oral.
- An experienced sex worker, concerned by your health and your well-being could, and should:
- Propose you a shower and clean your private parts.
- Refuse any penetration without condom
- Refuse oral sex without condom
- Use her/his own prevention and lubricant material.
- Use clean sheets and towels.
- Always clean and disinfect the dildos and other utensils.
- Use gloves for prostate massage.
- Do not accept that you when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or that you are no longer able to discern. Being under the influence of substances (alcohol, cocaine, heroin, etc.) can make you both take unnecessary risks
- Be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- Check for STIs every three months if she / he practices unprotected sex.
- Refuse that you downgrade her/him
- Do not greet when she / he meets you outside of work to ensure your anonymity.
- Get tested every three months for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, if you choose, in agreement with the sex workers, to still take risks when you have sex.
If you take a single risk once while in general you protect yourself (condom break, drug / alcohol sex…), follow the recommendations in the section » what to do in case of condom break « . Protect yourself systematically until then, even within your stable relationship.
Do not hesitate to talk about any risk taking with your partner. The inconvenience due to this admission will be much less than that due to the announcement of an infection of which you would be the cause!
- You can play a role in the fight against trafficking by discussing your doubts about specific situations to:
Dear managers of institutions,
- Make available to the sexworkers all the necessary prevention material:
- Intimate cleaning wipes and places to wash
- Male condoms of various sizes (large quantities at low price at Aspasie and Fleur de Pavé)
- female condoms
- dental dams
- lubricant based on water or silicone
- latex or vinyl gloves
- utensil sterilization equipment
- prevention brochures Sexually Transmitted Infections ( STIs )
- list of STI screening sites
- Wash any clothes or towel used during sexual services at 60 ° C.
- Only provide verified medical and legal information:
- Prevention leaflets approved by the state, confederation, Aspasie, Fleur de Pavé
- reliable and verified legal information
- by hosting prevention organisations teams in your places
- Remember that the health of sex workers and clients are priceless, even though for you it can be a cost.
It is not acceptable to say that unprotected oral sex carries no risk. It is the vector of diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia and mycoplasma for example.
- If you notice that someone working in your establishment is victim of violence, aggression, or trafficking, please contact the Aspasie and Fleur de Pavé organizations.
Sex work in Switzerland / legal framework / proceedings
Prostitution in Switzerland is a legal activity but regulated by cantonal laws (the LProst ) and the resulting regulations (the RProst ). There is no law at the federal level.
First of all, you must be in a regular situation for your working permit and therefore your stay.
Many sex workers in Switzerland use the 90 days permit thanks to the Announcement procedure for short-term gainful activities . For this, you have to announce your nationality (intra-European obligatorily), your sector of independent activity as well as the dates of your stay, on the website of the Confederation. Only 90 days per calendar year can be announced. Once the announcement is made online, you will have to print the certificate generated online.
Once your 90 days are finished, you will have to either wait for a new calendar year, or you could apply for a permit B (installation in Switzerland with tax obligations and health insurance obligation LAMal ) or a border G permit (installation in a country bordering on Switzerland and gainful activity in Switzerland).
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with the Aspasie and Fleur de Pavé organizations for administrative assistance.
In case you run a salon, do not forget to declare your income to VAT if your turnover exceeds 100’000 CHF / year.
