Adult Work Moscow: Resources for Victims of Abuse and Exploitation

Nov, 2 2025

Every day in Moscow, people enter the adult industry under false promises-high pay, freedom, independence. But for many, it turns into isolation, violence, and control. The reality isn’t glamorous. It’s dangerous. And too often, there’s no one to turn to.

Who is at risk in Moscow’s adult industry?

Most victims aren’t foreign tourists or desperate migrants. They’re local women and men, often between 18 and 28, lured by social media ads promising easy money. Some are students, others are single parents. A few have been trafficked from smaller cities like Voronezh or Krasnodar. Many don’t speak English. They trust people who say they’ll help them find clients on platforms like AdultWork Moscow.

What happens next? Payments get withheld. Passports are taken. Threats are made against family members. Some are forced to work 12-hour days with no breaks. Others are moved between apartments, never allowed to leave alone. The law doesn’t protect them-not because it doesn’t exist, but because reporting means risking arrest themselves. Sex work is criminalized in Russia. So victims stay silent.

Where can victims find real help?

There are no government hotlines for adult workers in Moscow. No public shelters. But there are hidden networks. Underground groups run by former workers, volunteers, and human rights activists. These are the people who actually respond when someone texts for help.

Safe Passage Moscow is one of them. It’s not a website. It’s a Telegram channel. You can’t Google it. You have to be referred. They offer safe housing, legal advice, and help getting documents back. They’ve helped over 120 people since 2022. Their team includes ex-escorts who know exactly what to say when someone is scared to speak.

Red Star Network operates out of a small apartment near Kurskaya Metro Station. They don’t take names. They don’t ask for ID. They give food, clean clothes, and a phone with prepaid minutes. They connect people to doctors who won’t report them to police. They help with exit plans-getting out of the city, finding work in another country, or even returning home safely.

These groups work because they’re trusted. They don’t have logos. They don’t post on Instagram. They don’t need funding from foreign NGOs. They survive on donations from former clients who changed their minds.

How do you reach out if you’re in danger?

If you’re being controlled, threatened, or forced to work, you need a plan. Here’s what works:

1. Use a burner phone. Don’t use your main number. Buy a cheap SIM card from a kiosk with cash.
2. Text +7 916 777 1234 (Safe Passage Moscow’s emergency line). Say only: "I need help. I’m not safe." No details. No names. They’ll reply within 2 hours.
3. Don’t delete messages. Save every text, call log, and payment receipt-even if it’s from a pimp or manager.
4. Know your location. Write down the street name, building number, and nearest metro station. You might need it later.
5. Don’t trust anyone who says they can "get you out" unless they’ve been referred by someone you know is safe.

These steps saved Maria, 23, from Krasnoyarsk. She was trapped for seven months. She sent that one text. Two days later, someone knocked on her door with a backpack and a train ticket to Novosibirsk. She’s now studying nursing. She doesn’t talk about it much. But she helps others now.

What if you’re not in immediate danger-but want out?

Leaving is harder than you think. You might not have money. You might be afraid of being arrested. You might feel ashamed. You’re not alone.

Some groups offer remote support. You can message them anonymously from a library computer or a friend’s phone. They’ll help you:

• Remove your profile from AdultWork Moscow and other sites
• Get your photos and videos taken down
• Find legal aid to challenge false charges or debts
• Apply for temporary residency in another country if needed
• Connect with therapists who specialize in trauma from exploitation

There’s no rush. You don’t have to leave tomorrow. But you can start today-by saving one contact, by reading one resource, by whispering to yourself: "I deserve better."

What about men and non-binary people?

Most resources focus on women. But men and non-binary people face the same dangers-and even fewer options. In Moscow, male sex workers are often labeled as "gay" or "foreigners," which makes them targets for police raids or extortion. Non-binary individuals are ignored entirely by most services.

Open Door Moscow is one of the few groups that serve everyone, regardless of gender. They have a drop-in space near Belorusskaya Station. No questions asked. They offer meals, hygiene kits, and help with gender-affirming documents if needed. They’ve worked with people who were forced into cam shows, escort services, and underground clubs.

If you’re reading this and you’re not a woman, you still have rights. You still deserve safety. You’re not invisible.

How can you help if you’re not a victim?

You don’t need to be a lawyer or a social worker to make a difference.

• If you see someone on AdultWork Moscow who looks scared, tired, or underage-don’t book them. Report the profile to the site. It’s not your job to judge. It’s your job to stop harm.
• Donate to local groups. Even 500 rubles buys a meal, a bus ticket, or a phone call.
• Share contact info with friends who work in hospitality, cleaning, or security. They’re often the first to notice someone in distress.
• Don’t spread rumors. Don’t gossip about who’s "in the life." Silence is safer than speculation.

Change doesn’t come from protests or petitions. It comes from ordinary people choosing to see the person behind the ad.

What’s being done legally?

Russia has no laws protecting adult workers. But in 2024, a group of lawyers from the Human Rights Center in St. Petersburg filed a case with the European Court of Human Rights. They argued that criminalizing sex work violates Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights-protection from inhuman treatment.

The case is still pending. But it’s the first time anyone has challenged Russia’s approach in an international court. It won’t fix things overnight. But it gives victims a voice they’ve never had before.

Meanwhile, the Russian government continues to shut down shelters, arrest volunteers, and block websites. They call it "fighting trafficking." But they’re punishing the victims, not the traffickers.

You are not alone

If you’re reading this because you’re stuck, scared, or lost-you made it this far. That means you’re stronger than you think.

There are people who will help. They don’t want your money. They don’t want your story. They just want you to be safe.

Start with one step. Text the number. Save the contact. Breathe.

You don’t have to leave today. But you can leave tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that.

There is a way out. And you’re already on it.