Tips of how to be safer at public cruising areas
Cruising is the term used to describe the activity of going around public places looking for someone to have sex with, normally anonymous, and it’s a fact that, in this setting, is not unusual to find people who are also using chems. In this context, and in addition to the usual dangers around Chems using, there are some really increased risks for your personal safety.
These may be in terms being unable to consent, which may extend to being raped; for your own safety in terms of becoming the subject of a homophobic attack; being mugged/robbed of mobile/cash/drugs; and the danger of being arrested by the Police.
- You may be high/drug-affected when you make the decision to go to a cruising site. In this case, take extra time to decide if this is really a good decision.
- Remember, If you experience any level of drug-related paranoia or psychosis, this environment can make things dramatically worse.
- Anonymous sex may feel like a horny idea, but set your boundaries and remember to stick with them. Consent is still important is this situation.
- Try to go with a friend or let someone know where you are (maybe agree a time you will message them when you leave the cruising location to confirm you are OK).
- Drink plenty of water. Take a water bottle with you. Be careful of spending hours outside without drinking.
- It can be a good idea to take a snack, like an energy bar, with you.
- Don't share drinks or take a sip of someone else's – it might contain their G dose.
- Bring your own condoms and lube – using other people's may mean they are tampered with, out of date, or lube has been contaminated (possibly with G etc).
- Set yourself a time when you know you should leave cruising area and try to stick to it (see messaging a friend above).
- Taking a limited amount of cash or chems may also help limit the amount you use. Avoid taking debit/bank cards if you can.
- Be sure to have any regular meds with you, in case you end up staying longer than you planned, or you go back to someone's place.
- Keep cash and your phone somewhere concealed and safe, you may want to consider keeping valuables in a leg band/holster/wallet which can fit around your calf.
- Be aware for cruising at dusk/night time it will be dark, this makes it hard to measure G safely, to time doses etc.
- Also bear in mind that if you pass out or overdose nobody might be aware, and that some people may be scared to help you.
- You might want to avoid using your mobile when dark, including the torch on the mobile as this can show your visual location, and re robbery can notify others in the area you have a smartphone.
- Using a lighter/torch will also alert others to your using, and that you may be vulnerable as you are drug-affected.
- Avoid being coerced away from the main cruising area, you are safer when around other people, and going to isolated spots increasing your risks
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF!
* We want to thank Simon Prytherch very deeply for his courtesy allowing us to share this document. Simon is a psychotherapist with long experience providing high quality specialised chemsex support to hundreds of people from all over the world.
