Harm Reduction & Direct Service Providers

A strip club is a place where there is often a lot of alcohol and drugs around, and some clubs even give you commission on alcoholic drinks or expect you to use drugs in champagne room. Sometimes it’s fun to have a buzz at work — and it may help you make money. But in this party atmosphere it can be hard to set limits.

For many dancers, drinking and using drugs are under control, but sometimes things can get out of hand. Sometime when you’re drunk or high, your judgment can become cloudy. You may be less likely to have safer sex. It can also be harder to defend yourself against an attack or sexual assault.

Here are some tips for keeping your drug and alcohol use under control:

Plan ahead. Decide on your limit before you start drinking.

Never leave home without a car service number in case you find yourself too drunk too take the subway or drive.

Always carry condoms and lube, just in case.

On days when you don’t want to drink, arrange with the bartender to give you soda instead of alcohol. The customer doesn’t even need to know.

“I never drink at work. The bartender knows that “vodka soda” is just soda. It’s nice because I get a drink commission without having to get drunk—and the bar makes money off me too. Also, it’s a zero calorie drink!”

– Honey

We know that violence doesn’t just happen in the clubs. We all know dancers who have had abusive partners or who have had trouble with other members of the household. Remember that no one has the right to beat or abuse you anywhere, anytime.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://www.thehotline.org/

Love Is Respect – Dating Violence Support
http://www.loveisrespect.org/

Pandoras Project Sexual Assault Support
http://www.pandys.org/

After Silence Sexual Assault Support
http://www.aftersilence.org/

The NW Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse
http://www.nwnetwork.org/

The Network/La Red (LGBTQ+)
http://tnlr.org/en/