Wed, 22 Jun 05
tax4escorts
When we saw that the very useful tax4escorts.co.uk website had disappeared again, and this time the registration for the domain itself had expired, we registered it.
This is the place to ask any questions relating to tax, comments on the tax pages, experiences etc.
Any answers, while believed to be accurate, are not Advice. SW5 is not authorised to give advice of any kind in connection with investments, finance products or tax and we are not registered with the Financial Services Authority or any other equivalent body. For that, you need to talk to a qualified accountant or other suitably qualified person.
Posted by SW5 [Link] [13 comments]
Fri, 27 May 05
Safety tip #2
Always remember the first words of the Bible (according to the play Shopping and Fucking, anyway)
Get The Money First!
We know that some people don't do this.
Some male escorts in particular leave the money until afterwards in the hope of getting paid more than was agreed. Others don't like sorting out the money at the start, because they think it affects the "boy/girlfriend experience" they offer.
But it's risky.
The main reason for this is that the client can turn around at the end and say they're not paying.
In the UK, criminal law (the state dealing with people who are accused of commiting crimes) is largely separate from civil law (dealing with disputes between people).
Civil law
Unfortunately for escorts, contracts based on sex (e.g. "I'll have sex with you if you pay me!") will not be enforced by English courts.
One example is of a man who sold a car to a woman for a combination of money and having sex with her so many times. She then decided she didn't want to have sex with him that often, and he sued for return of the car. The courts said "tough" and she kept the car.
So it's no use suing a client who's refusing to pay you.
(Until the Gambling Act 2005, they wouldn't enforce gambling debts either, so until this year if someone refused to pay up on a bet, the courts would have said that it's a matter of honour and had nothing to do with it.)
The good news, if you've been given a cheque that's bounced or been stopped by the client, is that the courts will enforce that - it doesn't matter that the cheque was written as part of a sexual arrangement, by giving you a cheque they are acknowledging that they do owe you money.
Criminal Law
There is an offence of Obtaining Services By Deception (section one of the Theft Act 1978):
1) A person who by any deception dishonestly obtains services from another shall be guilty of an offence2) It is an obtaining of services where the other is induced to confer a benefit by doing some act or causing or permitting some act to be done, on the understanding that the benefit has been or will be paid for.
The punishment for doing so is up to five years in prison.
The deal needn't be one that the civil courts would enforce, e.g. if you have sex with someone only because they promised to pay you and they don't, they can be found guilty of this offence.
If this has happened to you, let us know. We're currently helping several escorts who have had this done to them by the same client.
Although it's necessary that money is involved, the actual deception need not be about the payment. So it is possible that a client who lies about using a condom could also be guilty if you only have sex with him on that basis.
But let's say it again: your life will be easier if you always rememberGet The Money First!
Make sure you know where the money is during the service. Wallets and bags with velcro fastenings are good for this: they make a loud tearing sound when opened, so it's difficult for anyone to open them without you noticing.
Don't keep it with any other money you have with you. It's a good idea not to have anything with you wouldn't be prepared to lose if you had to leave in a hurry anyway.
Posted by SW5 [Link] [349 comments]
Wed, 4 Aug 04
Safety tip #1
If something did go wrong, who'd know?
Whether it's a booking or a pick up on the scene, think about who knows where you are and who you are with. If you went missing, who'd notice or call the police? And could the client be traced?
If you take bookings over the phone, get their number and record it somewhere safe. Is it a landline (home, work or payphone?) or a mobile number? Is it listed on one of the escort safety websites / 'ugly mugs' lists?
If you use the internet, is the booking made from an account you need a credit card for, or is it a free one where they could use any old details... or even one that promises anonymity for users? Does their address have any hits on google?
When you talk to a new potential client, ask if they've seen anyone else. If so, try to check to see if they're an ok client or one you might prefer not to see.
Many people call someone - even if it's just their own answerphone or voicemail - on arrival at a client's or when a client arrives, saying when they expect to be finished and that they'll ring back then, to make the client know they'd be missed quickly.
If you work at home, consider having someone else in (or pretending there is!) when clients are present.
If you're working on the streets, get someone else to note the car's registration number and tell them when you're expected back. Let the client know this has happened.
None of this is a complete protection - 'pay as you go' mobiles can be bought with cash and cars can be stolen - but clients who think they can be traced are less likely to cause trouble in the first place.
If you think you're in a dangerous situation, get out immediately. Trust your gut instincts.
And remember: someone who attacks you will probably attack someone else too. If you do have trouble, let the police know - they are treating attacks on sex workers more seriously than ever before. You can report it anonymously via many sex work projects if you'd prefer
Posted by SW5 [Link] [18 comments]
Sun, 18 Jul 04
Paying the Price - Home Office consultation on (some bits of) sex work law
The long-awaited consultation paper was published on Friday 16th July and is now available on the Home Office's website. Their deadline for responses is 26th November 2004.
In the meantime... what do you think?
Posted by SW5 [Link] [6 comments]
Tue, 8 Jun 04
Comments and questions regarding our services
If you have any, we'd like to hear them!
Posted by SW5 [Link] [250 comments]
- - = = = = - -
Comments and questions regarding our UK Sex Work Law section
If you have any, we'd like to hear them!
We do know that this is one of the most popular sections of the site (there were over 500 downloads of the Escorts and the Law leaflet last month, for example...)
Please note that any responses, while believed to be accurate, are not legal Advice - if you want that, you need to talk to a solicitor or other suitably qualified person.
Posted by SW5 [Link] [245 comments]
Fri, 20 Feb 04
Condom use for anal sex
SW5's take on condom use for anal sex is to support current research which has shown there is no difference in the breakage of different strength condoms. Previously we would always have advised using extra strong condoms for anal sex.
What is important though is that you use a generous amount of water-based or silicon-based lubricant with a condom when having anal sex. This is to reduce any friction caused by rubbing which may cause the condom to break.
After you put a condom on the erect cock put a generous amount of lube on the whole length of the cock, not just the end. Lube can also be applied to the arse. DON'T put lubricant on the erect cock before you put the condom on, as this could cause it to slip off.
Using more than one condom on top of each other doesn't make the sex safer. The condoms can rub together and again cause friction which could cause them both to break. So it is less safe to use more than one condom at a time.
Always check that the condom hasn't reached its expiry date. Look after your condoms. Exposing them to heat can cause them to perish. Also take care when opening the packet so that nails and teeth don't rip the condom inside. Never use a condom more than once.
Posted by SW5 [Link] [108 comments]
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