Working in adult services in Moscow isn’t just about meeting clients. For many, it’s a survival strategy - a way to pay rent, feed children, or escape economic collapse. But when things go wrong - when a client turns violent, when police raid a safe house, when health services turn you away - there’s almost no one to call. The system doesn’t see you as a worker. It sees you as a crime. That’s why knowing where to turn in a crisis isn’t optional. It’s life-or-death.
What crisis support actually exists for adult workers in Moscow
There are no government-funded programs for adult workers in Moscow. Not one. The law treats sex work as illegal, so official agencies won’t touch it. But that doesn’t mean help doesn’t exist. It’s hidden. It’s grassroots. It’s run by people who’ve been where you are.
The Moscow Sex Workers Collective, founded in 2021, is the only organization in the city that offers 24/7 emergency support. They run a private hotline staffed by former workers. No names are asked. No ID is required. If you’re being threatened, arrested, or injured, they’ll send someone to your location - even if it’s 3 a.m. in a suburb like Khimki or Lyubertsy. They’ve helped over 1,200 people since launch.
They also run safe rooms in three districts: Tverskoy, Zelenograd, and Butovo. These aren’t shelters. They’re temporary safe spaces where you can stay for up to 72 hours while you figure out your next move. No questions. No forms. Just a bed, clean clothes, and a hot meal.
Health care you can actually access
Getting tested for STIs in Moscow is hard if you’re a sex worker. Public clinics will report you to the police if they suspect you’re involved in sex work. Private clinics cost hundreds of dollars - more than most workers earn in a week.
The Collective partners with two underground clinics: MedSafe Moscow and FreeClinic RU. Both offer free, anonymous testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. They use rapid tests - results in 15 minutes. You don’t need to give your real name. You don’t even need to show your passport. They give you antibiotics on the spot if you test positive. No referral. No follow-up appointment needed.
They also distribute condoms, lube, and naloxone kits for overdose prevention. Many workers use benzodiazepines or sleeping pills to cope. These clinics know that. They don’t judge. They just give you what you need to stay alive.
Legal help that won’t get you arrested
If you’re detained by police, you’re on your own. Most workers don’t call lawyers because they’re afraid the lawyer will turn them in. But there’s one group that won’t: The Moscow Legal Defense Network.
This team of volunteer lawyers works only with adult workers. They’ve handled over 400 cases since 2022. Their strategy? Never go to court. They negotiate with police before charges are filed. They get detentions dropped. They get seized phones returned. They’ve stopped 17 arrests in the last six months by showing up at police stations with video evidence of entrapment.
You can reach them through encrypted messaging only. No phone calls. No emails. They use Telegram with a secret bot. The link is shared only through trusted networks. If you don’t know how to get it, contact the Moscow Sex Workers Collective first. They’ll send you the code.
Financial aid and emergency cash
When you lose a client, get robbed, or are evicted, there’s no unemployment insurance. No welfare. No safety net.
The Collective runs a small emergency fund - funded by donations from international sex worker networks. It’s not much: $50 to $200 per person, once every three months. But it’s enough to pay for a night in a hostel, a bus ticket out of the city, or a week’s worth of groceries. You don’t need to repay it. You don’t need to prove anything. Just say you need help. They’ll ask if you’re safe. That’s it.
Some workers get help from underground crypto networks. Bitcoin wallets are passed between trusted contacts. If you’re in trouble, someone will send you a small amount - 0.002 BTC, maybe - with a message: “You’re not alone.”
How to stay safe before crisis hits
Prevention is the best support. Here’s what works for the people who’ve survived this long in Moscow:
- Always share your location with at least one person you trust. Use a burner phone or a fake profile on Telegram. Don’t use your real number.
- Never meet alone in isolated areas. Even if the client insists. Use the Collective’s verified meeting zones - they’ve mapped over 80 safe spots across the city.
- Carry a panic button. The Collective gives out small, discreet devices that send your GPS to three contacts with one press. They’re free. Ask for one when you visit a safe room.
- Know your rights. In Russia, police can’t search you without a warrant. They can’t take your phone without a court order. Record everything. Even if you’re scared, keep your phone rolling.
What to do if you’re being hunted
Some clients become obsessed. Some ex-boyfriends track you down. Some police officers demand bribes - then threaten to arrest you if you don’t pay.
If you feel hunted:
- Stop working. Immediately.
- Go to a safe room. Don’t wait. Don’t pack. Just go.
- Call the Collective’s hotline: +7 916 784-00-22 (this number is active 24/7).
- Ask for the “Safe Exit” protocol. They’ll help you leave Moscow - even if you have no papers.
They’ve helped over 60 people relocate to other cities - Kazan, Yekaterinburg, even Riga - with fake documents, bus tickets, and temporary housing. No one is turned away.
Why no one talks about this
The silence isn’t accidental. The Russian state wants sex workers invisible. No media. No NGOs. No funding. But the workers? They’re not silent. They’re building networks in the dark. They’re teaching each other how to survive.
You’re not broken. You’re not alone. You’re part of a quiet, stubborn network that’s kept people alive when the system refused to see them.
How to help if you’re not a worker
If you’re reading this and you’re not in adult work - but you care - here’s how to help:
- Donate to the Moscow Sex Workers Collective. They accept crypto (BTC, ETH) and international bank transfers. Their website is blocked in Russia, but you can find it through Tor.
- Amplify their work. Share their hotline number with people who might need it. Don’t post it publicly. Send it privately.
- Don’t assume. Don’t pity. Don’t moralize. Just say: “If you need help, here’s how to reach someone who won’t judge you.”
Survival isn’t glamorous. It’s quiet. It’s late-night texts. It’s strangers showing up with food. It’s a phone call that says: “I’m here.”
Can I call the police if I’m in danger while working in Moscow?
No. Calling the police puts you at higher risk of arrest, extortion, or being handed over to traffickers. Most workers who report violence are charged with prostitution instead of protected. Use the Moscow Sex Workers Collective hotline instead. They have direct contacts with lawyers and safe houses.
Do I need a passport to access support services in Moscow?
No. None of the underground support networks require ID. The Moscow Sex Workers Collective, MedSafe Moscow, and FreeClinic RU all operate anonymously. Your name, documents, or history are not needed. Your safety is the only thing that matters.
Are these services only for Russian citizens?
No. Foreign workers - including those from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova, and beyond - are supported equally. Language isn’t a barrier. The Collective has volunteers who speak English, Ukrainian, Uzbek, and Romanian. Everyone gets the same help, no matter where they’re from.
How do I find the safe rooms if I don’t know anyone?
Call the Collective’s hotline: +7 916 784-00-22. Tell them you need a safe room. They’ll send a trusted courier to meet you at a public location - like a 24-hour pharmacy or bus station - and take you there. Never go alone to an unknown address. Always wait for the courier.
Is there any way to get legal residency or work permits through these networks?
No. These networks focus on immediate survival, not immigration. They can’t get you papers. But they can help you leave Moscow safely and connect you with international organizations that assist migrant workers in other countries. They’ll give you contacts, not promises.
What if I’m being forced to work by someone else?
If you’re being controlled, threatened, or trafficked, call the Collective immediately. They have a specialized team for forced labor cases. They’ve helped over 30 people escape trafficking rings in Moscow since 2023. They’ll get you out, even if you’re scared. You’re not responsible for what’s happening to you.
What’s next if you’re ready to leave
Some workers want to leave adult work. Others just want to leave Moscow. The Collective doesn’t push. They don’t ask why. They just help you go.
If you’re ready to move on, they’ll help you find work in another city - cleaning, cooking, delivery. They’ll connect you with NGOs in Georgia, Armenia, or Poland that offer housing and job training. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just say you want out. They’ll start the process.
You’ve survived the hardest part. Now it’s time to breathe.
