Sexual Health Week 2019 & AdultWork.com

Relationships, sex and disability ❤

Sexual Health Week this year focuses on destigmatising and normalising the dialogue around sex, relationships and disability. We want our community to be inclusive about everyone’s sexual health needs and to support individuals in finding the services and education that will allow everyone to be free to explore and celebrate their sexuality, regardless of any disabilities, sexual preferences, gender or race.

As part of Brook’s campaign to bring the resources and support to everyone in hopes of a society where everyone can be themselves, free from stigma, you can get involved from today until 22^nd September by using #SHW19 to normalise conversation around sex & disability.

To find out more visit Brook’s Campaign

They will be launching:

–          free resources to support professionals delivering RSE to young people with a learning disability

–          guides for families and healthcare professionals (in partnership with Mencap)

–          films challenging the stigma of sex and disability (in partnership with IPPF)

–          free STI home sampling kits for people with disabilities and their partners (in partnership with Fettle)

–          BSL films on sexual health topics (in partnership with SignHealth)

AdultWork are highlighting this campaign by partnering with long-time member and expert in this field, Charlotte Rose, who can give personal insight to those who may have disabilities and those who haven’t yet opened up to offering to those with disabilities.

Charlotte Rose:

AW – Tell us a bit about yourself?

CR – I’ve been in the adult industry for over 20 years now, offering a range of services to abled and disabled people. I started working with disabled people whilst living in Devon. I was being asked by many clients who told me they had been denied services from other sex workers due to their disabilities which made me realise that not many people saw disabled clients.

AW – Is there an occasion while working with a person that identifies as being disabled that stands out against others, what was the takeaway from that client experience?

CR – The first contact from a client with disabilities stood out for me massively compared to other messages. The client apologised for wasting my time in just reading the message and understood if I didn’t want to see him due to his difficulties, I couldn’t believe that he was apologising for what he called wasting my time in just reading his email, made me realise he has been rejected many times before. I replied to the client stating I’d be delighted to see him, and when we met, I walked hand in hand with him from the station and he’s still a client of mine 10 years on.

AW – For those wanting to expand and welcome disabled clients, what advice would you give them to navigate the learning curve to give the best experience for their clients?

CR – Talking to the client prior to the booking and asking questions is the only way. You need to be honest. Ask about the disability, what does that mean for their body, what abilities do they have, don’t forget that kissing, skin on skin and oral are just as good as penetration. Be open and honest, you don’t need to pussy foot around a situation with conversation just because someone is disabled. If you want to try something, just ask. I have the funniest conversations with clients trying to work our angles and how I can get my body to connect with theirs. I’ve used their equipment like hoists and things to be able to try, sometimes not always successful but we’ve had so much fun trying, and that’s what it’s all about – having fun!

AW – Have you always been open about clients from different walks of life? What was the memory, experience or mentality that you think brought you into this state of openness?

CR – I hate seeing people being treated differently just because we might not look the same. Human beings are lovely, it should never matter what anyone looks like as we all feel the same.

AW – How did you get into becoming a member on AdultWork.com?

CR – I became an AdultWork.com member as I knew it was the only place to get clients from when I first started out. The support system for reviews and feedback gives me added safety and security about each client. It’s very rare I take a client on without feedback but depending on how they’ve contacted me, sometimes I will see them.

AW – Can AdultWork.com as a community platform support the breakdown of this taboo to allow people with disabilities having sex, relationships and sexual health services?

CR – AdultWork.com can help break taboos by educating its users that we’re all human at the end of the day, with basic human needs, forums with information can help give others the right info to better themselves and join social groups to meet others in the same situation. I support clients with knowledge of organisations like outsiders and the tlc-trust as they help people find love and romance and of course new friends.

AW – Is there anything else you would like to add?

CR – Education is key! People fear what’s different, also people don’t want to cause pain for others so having information that can reassure, discuss and explain ‘how to’ would allow people to become more open about the differences.

Have a story or response to one of the questions? Wish to share your support or hesitations? It all starts with a discussion, story or point of view. Reach out through marketing@adultwork.com or by tagging us along with the hashtag #SHW19 & #AdultWorkcom.