Quote from: Strawberry on 16 June 2013, 03:33:36 pm

Quote from: amy on 16 June 2013, 12:22:18 pm

Well my attitude can hardly be called into question and neither can Strawberry's, so whilst I agree broadly, there's no point denying that it happens. In both cases the people involved had previously been for appointment without incident too, so it's helpful to remember not to let your guard drop, in my case at least. It's still very rare for indoor workers - when you're new you'll get far more in the way of boundary pushers and timewasters, as well as 'helpful' punters who may have either good or bad intentions, but are singularly unlikely to be helpful either way.

If you want to up your chances of not being attacked by a stranger at work, I would also write off nursing, teaching, social work or anything involving a uniformed service (police, traffic wardens, paramedics and so on) - these are the jobs are where the statistics get scary. And don't rely on a self defence class - they can give you a false sense of security and I would recommend some assertiveness or confidence building classes instead if you think you need a bit of a boost .

Completely with you on the self-defence, when I mentioned it in my post I was referring to a training in a martial art. People often ask me to recommend a short one day or few hours course, and I won't because trying to remember one move out of however many taught in a few hours, one day 2 years ago isn't going to help and could delay you actually getting to safety. I also actually ignore people who try giving well-meant self-defence tips. As was explained to me by a martial arts instructor when I myself was making enquiries, you have to train and practice regularly(like at least once a week) for it to be any use, and even then the first thing you'd do is try and talk your way out of the situation (or run away) before anything else.

Im with you on the running away -    its why I alway wear slip on high heel shoes and not those that have straps or anything that prevents me from getting a quick getaway  Just my luck to to get attacked and run off  but to break my bloody neck from falling down the stairs trying to make a quick escape 

Ha ha, but definitely a good tip.

Re the returning clients thingy, my robber actually didn't let on I'd seen him previously - he pretended to be someone new. So as far as I was concerned he was a new client, however I let my guard slip because I was too confident. I thought it would be quite clear I'd not be afraid to report any incident from my online and website presences. Not everyone actually reads everything, even your own website(he'd assumed I'd been working all weekend whilst my website said otherwise), so that was another lesson.

firstly Id like to ask what do u mean by attack? you mean that u are phisically hurt by a punter or attacked as the pimp(s) of the area targeted you and told you to leave the area where you work and break objects in your working flat/phisically hurt you because of it? both i call attack. the pimp thing happened to me twice in East London but without phisical abuse.
(The pimp thing is not really common in the UK but in my country it is. just mentioned.)

secondly, I think it depends on your type (how you work).  in my experience much more robberies/attacks/rapes happen when you dont work for yourself but have a boss. when i started this job I worked in private flats where there were 3-4 girls and had a boss who took 50% of earnings.  only 1 thing matter there, for you to have more and more punters so your boss earns a lot from you. this is related to security because your boss normally handles your phone (many girls dont speak english) and s/he doesnt do any screening hence anybody can come to the place.

if you work independently you being attacked is unlikely because you do the screening. further i found that if your working flat is in a block with cctv at the entrance there will be guys who just disappear suddenly when they say ?I am arrived?. its because if they are up to something nasty their face is on cctv and they know that and they dont want that. but if you work in a house/conversion flat and they dont see cctv they think there is no cctv and they can do anything so its more likely to happen.
Those girls who you spoken to seem to be independent and nothing never happened to them because they are strict on security. I would say 90% of attacks you can avoid by screening and with a security buddy on your side.

So answering your question i think you cant say how common it is in general. i would say if you work for somebody its more common and if you are independent (you answer your phone, high security) its much less common or never happen.

I wouldn't be surprised if more people here had been attacked by a 'partner' than by a client.

Well Nigella Lawson defiantly  has ....

Previously I spent 8 years as a support worker with people with learning disabilities and mental health. Whilst working I was repeatedly slapped, kicked, bitten, spat at and had feces thrown at me, and on one occasion was nearly drowned! All for no more then ?8 per hour.

Now I get paid to spend time with some very nice and interesting people who give me lots of compliments, gifts, also sometimes great sex... and so far have been very polite and respectful. It doesn't compare really!

You still get the odd boundary pusher or text maniac but like everyone else as said if you don't take risks and never get complacent you should avoid the less desirable   

I've been doing this job for 6 years now (since i was 18) never had one situation where i have felt unsafe, most annoying part is if a guy is on drugs or drunk, they can be a pain to deal with but i've never felt "unsafe" with them X

Quote from: xw5 on 17 June 2013, 07:59:17 pm

I wouldn't be surprised if more people here had been attacked by a 'partner' than by a client.

Well Nigella Lawson defiantly  has ....

Definitely agree