C**** C***l 155 Report post Posted March 20, 2009 I am currently involved in something called The Sex Worker Alliance Project...the woman responsible for starting this project has recently written the first draft of what we are referring to as the Alternative Providers Code of Ethics...with permission, I am posting this draft version for your comments...please post, pm or email me your thoughts...I will provide your feedback to the members of The Sex Worker Alliance Project for consideration when creating the next draft...Thank you in advance for taking the time to read and share your insight... Alternative Provider?s Code of Ethics - DRAFT by Alexa on March 18, 2009 Alright, it is your turn. For those who haven?t seen it, here is my first attempt at a comprehensive Code of Ethics. Please read through it and make any comments you feel appropriate. This is still undergoing debate and critique within the community of sex workers, or alternative providers as some now like to refer to the collective group (and I?ve grown to like that term myself), so this may not be the final result. I am genuinely curious as to what others outside the industry think, however. Specifically, I?m interested in: * What do you think of the concept in general? * If you?re a client/potential client, would you be pick someone who conforms to this code of ethics over someone who didn?t (i.e, would it make a difference in who you selected)? And if so, do you think you?d be willing to pay a bit more to have someone who indicates an acceptance of a code of ethics (this one or otherwise)? * If you?re on the fence about decriminalization of sex work, would a professional code of ethics like this make you more inclined to support decriminalization? Why have a code of ethics? A code of ethics offers an invaluable opportunity for us as a profession, as individuals, to create a positive public identity which can (hopefully) lead to a more supportive political and regulatory environment, as well as an increased level of confidence and trust among our potential clients as well as the general public. That you subscribe to a set of ethical standards reflects that you take your work seriously and respect the desire of your clientele to want to see someone who is legitimate, honest, and operates within an identifiable set of standards. Alternative Provider?s Code of Ethics Preamble Sex-related work of any type is generally looked down upon by many in society. This, despite a long historical record of sex workers being among the most cherished and valued people in many civilizations; many were among the elite of their time. One who undertakes sex-related work as a primary profession or as an adjunct to another profession realizes that s/he exposes the most personal of space to the client in exchange for financial or practical remuneration. This close interaction requires a very high level of trust be established between the worker and the client, and it is critical that the client understand that s/he knows that s/he is dealing with someone who adheres to a strong code of ethics. The sex worker, regardless of the specific genre of work engaged in, should strive to accomplish three major goals: * Provide valuable, beneficial, safe, and pleasurable service to the client, * Ensure personal boundaries and health of either party are not compromised, that you maintain your dignity and integrity, and that you don?t compromise your own personal ethos, and * Reflect positively upon the profession as a whole. Voluntary subscription to a code of ethics has historically been one way to demonstrate the commitment to excellence in any profession. Commensurately, I hereby adopt this Alternative provider?s Code of Ethics as my own. This code of ethics is predicated upon the following assumption of rights; * I reserve the right to screen clients and determine who I will see and who I will not see, and under what conditions. * I reserve the right to set my own boundaries, and to have my clients to respect them. * I reserve the right to refuse to see a client for any reasonable reason, including if the client refuses to accept my personal boundaries and play limitations, or engages in behavior I deem inappropriate. * I reserve the right to determine how I use my personal attributes to make a living, and to be respected for the decisions that I make. * I reserve the right to be treated as a human being, with full agency and all other rights due me, including the right to petition for redress under all relevant civil and criminal laws of my country. I have every expectation that law enforcement agencies and the judicial system will treat me with the same dignity and respect they afford all other complainants. Code of Ethics General Conduct * I will enter and practice this profession of my own free will, under duress from no other party, understanding the true nature of the work I?ll be doing. * I will exhibit a sincere commitment to providing a quality experience for the client. * I will respect my clients as human beings and not treat them as anything less than how I expect to be treated. * I will respect my client?s physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries. * I will maintain and improve professional knowledge and competence, striving for excellence through regular assessment of personal and professional strengths and weaknesses and through continued education and training. Business Practices * I will not use bait and switch tactics to lure clients under false assumptions or pretenses. * I will respect my client?s confidentiality, and not, under any circumstances, divulge the names or other identifying features of my clients. * I will not defraud or cheat a client. * I will advertise my services and skills honestly and not misrepresent what I am prepared to do or the skills that I have. * I will plainly state my fees in advertising and on my web site(s) and not engage in unfair attempts to upcharge or upsell clients. * I will not submit false information about clients to blacklists and similar reporting venues. * I will recognize that there is a wide variance in acceptable behavior and identity when it comes to human sexuality, strive to accept those variations in my clients, and accommodate those variances when they do not conflict with my own personal ethos or skill levels Safety and Health * I will adopt and use appropriate safe sex practices consistent with the nature and scope of play as negotiated between myself and my client. * I will not practice my trade if I am sick or ill without disclosing my illness(es) to my client before any personal contact. * I will not entertain clients if I am physically, emotionally, or spiritually impaired to the point where I cannot ensure my safety, the safety of my client, and meet my client?s expectations. * I will not engage in any activity during my time with my clients that knowingly exposes them to potential physical or psychological danger without their express, informed consent. Respect for the Profession * I will not advocate or condone non-consensual sex work, or sex work involving minors, and will report the existence of such behavior to appropriate authorities. * I will not entertain minors as defined by the jurisdiction in which I work, regardless of the age of consent in that jurisdiction. * If asked, I will provide honest, legitimate advice and information to those who inquire about working in this profession 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RubJunky 1954 Report post Posted March 20, 2009 * I will respect my client?s confidentiality, and not, under any circumstances, divulge the names or other identifying features of my clients.* Over the years, many top-end call girls and escorts who have been charged or caught in some political nightmare, have all opened their books to court lawyers to save theirs asses to get a reduced charge. I know many of you try and live by the confidentiality standards, but when push comes to shove, will you really go to jail or open your black book? rub Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
a******s.m*****e 187 Report post Posted March 20, 2009 I have a problem with "under no circumstances". If one of my clients would murder an SP and the police would question me about him, I would tell them everything I know. So, if you plan to murder someone, you'd better not see me :) Other than that, I am very discreet. The other problem I am having with the wording of "strive to accommodate". I see myself as an independent service provider, on the same level as the customer and don't feel the need to "strive" for anything. Striving suggests subservience and I have a problem with that:) I would change it to "do my best". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VedaSloan 119179 Report post Posted March 20, 2009 This is excellent, I really like this! Would it be a problem if I copied it to my site (with citations as to who wrote it, etc)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamanthaEvans 166766 Report post Posted March 21, 2009 I like this a lot, and I would post it on my website, too, with the same caveats as Anita has already mentioned. And Rubjunky, it's important to know in which jurisdiction things have occurred. In the States, it's illegal to be a prostitute in most places. That's largely what contributes to sex workers disclosing their client lists. Things in Canada are different. As an independent in Canada, I would never divulge the names of my clients. But what they and I agree to do together is been a private, and entirely legal, matter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
