Adult Work Moscow: Health Resources and Where to Get Support
Working in the adult industry in Moscow isn’t just about meeting clients or setting rates. It’s about surviving in a system that rarely offers safety nets. If you’re doing this work, you need to know where to turn when something goes wrong - whether it’s a health issue, a legal scare, or just someone who won’t leave you alone. The truth is, support exists. But it’s hidden. And if you don’t know where to look, you’re left guessing - and that’s dangerous.
Health Risks You Can’t Ignore
Sex workers in Moscow face the same health risks as anyone else in high-contact professions: STIs, physical injury, mental strain. But unlike office workers or nurses, most don’t have access to employer-provided healthcare. Many avoid clinics because they fear judgment, deportation, or police involvement. That’s why rates of untreated chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV are higher than official numbers show.
According to the Moscow-based NGO Open Door, over 60% of female and non-binary sex workers surveyed in 2025 had not been tested for STIs in the past year. The main reason? Fear. Fear of being reported. Fear of being asked for ID. Fear of being told they’re "doing something wrong." But clinics that specialize in sex worker care don’t ask questions. They don’t call the police. They just help.
Where to Get Free STI Testing and Treatment
You don’t need a passport or a registration stamp to get tested in Moscow. Three places offer confidential, free STI screening for sex workers:
- Center for Sexual Health - Krasnaya Presnya: Located near the Krasnaya Presnya metro station, this clinic has been serving sex workers since 2018. They offer rapid HIV and syphilis tests with results in 20 minutes. No appointment needed. No name required. Just walk in between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
- Open Door Mobile Unit: Every Tuesday and Thursday, this van parks near the Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station and offers free condoms, lube, and STI swabs. Staff speak Russian, English, and Ukrainian. They also hand out emergency contraception and can connect you with a lawyer if you’ve been assaulted.
- Health for All Clinic - Butovo: This private clinic accepts anonymous patients. They test for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and bacterial infections. All tests are covered by a European-funded program. You’ll get a printed result, not a digital record. No one tracks who comes in.
These places don’t report to immigration. They don’t share names with the police. They don’t care if you’re legal or not. They care if you’re alive.
Mental Health Isn’t a Luxury - It’s Survival
Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common among sex workers in Moscow. Many work alone, late at night, with no one to check in on them. Some have been trafficked. Others were pushed into the industry by debt or family pressure. The loneliness is real.
There’s one free, anonymous counseling line you can call any time: Safe Voice Moscow (8-800-200-98-76). It’s staffed by former sex workers and trauma-trained psychologists. You don’t have to give your name. You don’t have to say where you are. You can just say, "I’m tired," and they’ll listen. Calls are not recorded. No location data is tracked.
They also run weekly peer support groups in quiet apartments across the city - no sign-up needed. Just show up. Bring a friend if you want. No one will ask why you’re there. You’ll find people who know exactly what you’re going through.
What to Do If You’re Harassed or Threatened
Police in Moscow rarely help sex workers who report violence. In fact, many workers say officers demand bribes or threaten to arrest them. But you don’t have to go through this alone.
The Red Line Network is a group of volunteers - lawyers, drivers, medics - who respond to emergencies. If you’re being threatened, followed, or held against your will, text them at +7-916-785-9999. Use the code word "red" in your message. They’ll send someone to your location within 30 minutes. They can help you get to a safe place, call a doctor, or file a report without your name on it.
They’ve helped over 200 people in 2025 alone. No one has been turned away.
How to Stay Safe on AdultWork Moscow
If you use AdultWork to find clients, you already know the risks. But there are ways to reduce them:
- Always meet in public first - even if the client says they’ll pay extra to skip it.
- Share your location with someone you trust before every meeting. Use a burner phone if you need to.
- Never accept cash-only payments from new clients. Use bank transfers or crypto. It leaves a trace if something goes wrong.
- Block anyone who asks for illegal acts - no exceptions. If they push, cut contact immediately.
- Update your profile regularly. Delete old photos. Don’t use your real name or city in your bio.
There’s no perfect system. But small habits save lives.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re reading this and you’re working in Moscow:
- Text "health" to +7-916-785-9999. You’ll get a list of free clinics near you.
- Call 8-800-200-98-76. Say nothing. Just listen. Someone will answer.
- Download the SafeMe Moscow app (available on Android and iOS). It lets you send an alert with one tap if you feel unsafe. It doesn’t show your location to anyone unless you activate it.
You don’t have to be brave. You don’t have to do this alone. There are people who see you. There are places that won’t turn you away. You’re not invisible.
Resources You Can Trust
Here are the only organizations in Moscow that consistently keep their promises to sex workers:
| Name | Service | How to Reach | Confidential? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center for Sexual Health - Krasnaya Presnya | Free STI testing, treatment, condoms | Walk-in, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon-Sat | Yes |
| Open Door Mobile Unit | STI swabs, emergency contraception, legal advice | Tue & Thu, Yugo-Zapadnaya metro | Yes |
| Safe Voice Moscow | Free counseling, peer groups | 8-800-200-98-76 (24/7) | Yes |
| Red Line Network | Emergency response, safe transport, legal aid | Text "red" to +7-916-785-9999 | Yes |
| SafeMe Moscow App | One-tap safety alert, location sharing | Download on Android or iOS | Yes |
These aren’t charities. They’re lifelines. And they’re here because people like you kept asking for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get tested for HIV without showing my ID in Moscow?
Yes. The Center for Sexual Health in Krasnaya Presnya and the Open Door Mobile Unit offer anonymous HIV testing. You don’t need to give your name, passport, or any personal details. Results are given in person, on paper, and never stored in a government database.
What if I’m not a Russian citizen? Can I still get help?
Yes. All the services listed here are available to anyone working in the adult industry, regardless of nationality or immigration status. No organization linked here shares client data with immigration or police. Your status doesn’t matter - your safety does.
Is it safe to use AdultWork in Moscow?
AdultWork is one of the safer platforms for finding clients in Moscow, but it’s not risk-free. Always use the platform’s messaging system. Never share your real name, address, or phone number. Block anyone who asks for illegal services or pressures you. Use the SafeMe Moscow app to send alerts during meetings. Most importantly - trust your gut. If something feels off, walk away.
What should I do if a client refuses to pay?
Don’t confront them. Don’t argue. Leave immediately. Then text "red" to +7-916-785-9999. The Red Line Network can help you file an anonymous report and connect you with legal advice. Many workers have recovered payments this way - without ever going to the police.
Are there any support groups for male or non-binary sex workers in Moscow?
Yes. Safe Voice Moscow runs weekly peer groups that are open to everyone - men, women, non-binary, trans. No one is turned away. The groups meet in different locations each week to stay safe. Call the hotline to get the next meeting details. You don’t need to say who you are. Just say you want to come.
Next Steps If You’re Ready to Protect Yourself
Start today. Not tomorrow. Not when you have more money. Not when you feel strong enough.
- Save the number +7-916-785-9999 in your phone. Label it "Red Line."
- Download the SafeMe Moscow app. Turn on notifications.
- Text "health" to that same number. Get the clinic list.
- Call 8-800-200-98-76. Say nothing. Just let them hear you breathing. You’re not alone.
You’ve survived this long. Now it’s time to make sure you survive the next week - and the next year. You deserve that. No one else gets to decide your worth. You already know it.