Resources

SAFETY

Self-defense classes, support for survivors of crime and domestic violence, tips for screening customers, and a free car service for women!

  • Center for Anti-Violence Education – Self-defense and martial arts classes for women and transpeople. Free for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse. Free childcare for all.
  • Female Self-Awareness – A one-time, two-hour self-defense class for women. 151 West 26th street, New York, NY, 646-717-0017
  • Anti-Violence Project – Free and confidential support to victims of bias violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, pick-up crimes, police misconduct, and HIV-related violence, including short-term and long-term individual counseling as well advocacy and referrals. 240 W.35th St., suite 200, New York, NY 10001, 212-714-1141
  • Right Rides – Free, safe, late-night rides home for women and LGBTQ individuals. (You may have to wait up to an hour for a ride.) Dispatch number: (888) 215-SAFE (7233)
  • Screening 101 – Tips for screening customers if you meet them outside the club.

There are organizations all over the city that provide support and advocacy for survivors of violence. Click on your borough to find one near you.

Citywide

Battered Women’s Resource Center – Voices of Women Organizing Project 212-273-9617

Korean American Family Service Center 718-321-2400

Beth Israel Medical Center Rape Crisis & Domestic Violence Intervention Program 212-420-4516

Bellevue Hospital Center Rape Crisis Program 212-562-3435 x3755

Violence Intervention Program 800-664-5880, viplatina@aol.com

NYC Domestic Violence Hotline

800-621-HOPE (4673)

NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project 212-714-1141

NYPD Special Victims Liaison Unit Report Line 212-267-RAPE (7273)

Safe Horizon (NYC) – Domestic Violence Project 800-621-HOPE (4673)

SAKHI for South Asian Women – Anti Domestic Violence Program

212-868-6741, contactus@sakhi.org

Manhattan

Bellevue Hospital Center Rape Crisis Program 212-562-3435 x3755

Beth Israel Medical Center Rape Crisis & Domestic Violence Intervention Program 212-420-4516

Harlem Hospital Ctr for Victim Support 212-939-4613

Manhattan DA – Sex Crimes Unit (adult) 212-335-9373

Mt Sinai Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Program 212-423-2140

NY Presbyterian Hospital Domestic & Other Violent Emergencies (DOVE) Program 212-305-9060

St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Crime Victims Treatment Center 212-523-4728

St Vincent’s Hospital Rape Crisis Program 212-604-8068

Brooklyn

Bklyn DA Sex Crimes/Special Victims Bureau 718-250-3170

Bklyn Hospital Center Safety-Net Domestic Violence Program 718-250-6425

Bronx

Bronx Special Victims Bureau 718-590-2323

Fordham-Tremont Comm Mental Health Center – Family Crisis Services 718-960-0373 x0395

North Central Bronx Hospital Sexual Assault Treatment Program 718-519-4912 x3100

Queens

Elmhurst Hospital Center (Mt Sinai Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Program) 718-736-1288

Queens Rape Counseling Center 718-263-2013

Queens Women’s Center 718-793-0672, 718-352-7225

Queens Special Victims Bureau 718-286-6505

Staten Island

St Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center 718-876-3044

Staten Island Special Victims Bureau 718-876-5819

HEALTH

Free STI testing and support, non-judgmental medical and mental health providers, and support for drug and alcohol use.

  • Persist Health Project – Health and wellness services and care coordination run by and for people in the sex trade, including dancers. Call or email to be linked with a provider that works for you. 718.635.1791, info@persisthealthproject.org
  • Callen-Lorde Community Health Center – Health clinic providing non-judgmental, free/low cost medical and mental health services. 356 W. 18th St., New York, NY 10011, 212-271-7200
  • Harlem United – Free STI testing and support services. Harlem, South Bronx and Brooklyn 646-523-4621
  • OnPoint NYC – Free STI testing and support services. 104 -106 E 126th Street New York, NY 10035
  • Streetwork Project – Free services for young people up to age 24, including crisis housing, meals, medical services, counseling, and legal assistance. 209 W. 125th St., 2nd Fl. New York, NY (Harlem), 212-695-2220 33 Essex St. (storefront) New York, NY (Lower East Side), 646-602-6404
  • Dr. Miro Gudelsky – Therapist specializing in helping people who work or have worked in the sex industry. 323-497-6617

BEAUTY & FITNESS

A random list of affordable stores, salons, and fitness centers we like! Where do you shop for dancer stuff? Send us your suggestions and we’ll add them here!

  • Booksy – A listserv that sends out amazing daily deals at salons and spas. Up to 70 percent off massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and haircuts.
  • Astor Place Hair – High quality, low priced haircuts and blowouts. 2 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003, 212-475-9854
  • Starlight Shoes – Affordable shoes and dresses/gowns 15921 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432, 718-558-5700
  • Diva Boutique – Affordable dresses and gowns. 3077 Steinway St., Astoria, NY 11103, 718-204-8089 72-06 Austin St., Forest Hills, 718-544-8089
  • Yandy.com – Affordable quality work outfits.
  • YMCA of New York City – Affordable fitness centers with tons of classes, free childcare, and locations all over the city.

LEGAL

Do you have questions about what to do if you get arrested, or how to file a lawsuit against your club? Do you need immigration assistance? These organizations provide free legal assistance and advocacy.

  • Sex Workers Project, Urban Justice Center – Free legal assistance to dancers, sex workers, and survivors of sex trafficking. Focus on criminal justice and immigration. 123 Williams Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10038, 646-602-5617, swp@urbanjustice.org
  • Outten & Golden – A law firm providing legal services for dancers in protecting employment rights. Free consultation. 212-245-1000
  • Safe Horizon – Free immigration and family legal matters assistance to survivors of domestic violence and crime victims. 50 Court St., 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718-943-8631, 718-943-8653
  • The Door – provides free immigration and legal services to young individuals ages 12-21. 121 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013, 212-941-9090 X 3280
  • Community Service Society (CSS) – Free assistance to individuals with criminal records through legal services and advocacy. 105 E. 22nd Street, New York, 10010
  • Legal Action Center – Free assistance to individuals with criminal records through legal services and advocacy. 225 Varick StreetNew York, NY 10014, 212-243-1313, Toll free 1-800-223-4044, lacinfo@lac.org
  • Immigrant Defense Project – Free legal services related to immigration issues. 28 West 39th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10018, 212-725-6422, info@immigrantdefense.org
  • Immigration Equality – Free legal services for LGBTQ individuals related to immigration issues. 40 Exchange Place, Suite 1705, New York, NY 10005, 212-714-2904

In case of Arrest

FINANCIAL

Dancer-friendly tax preparers, dollar-stretching resources, and information on taking advantage of public benefits.

COMMUNITY & FURTHER READING

Connect with other dancers, online, in print, and in New York City!

24/7 Sex Worker National Hotline 877-776-2004

Blogs

  • Tits & Sass – Group blog written by dancers and other sex workers.
  • Mounting and Counting – Another NYC dancer.
  • Essence Revealed – Blog by a burlesque dancer and former “lapdance engineer of the upscale gentlemen’s club scene.”

Books

  • Strip City: A Stripper’s Farewell Journey Across America By Lily Burana
  • Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper By Diablo Cody
  • The Last of the Live Nude Girls: A Memoir By Sheila McClear

Academic Books

  • Unequal Desires: Race and Erotic Capital in the Stripping Industry (2010) Siobhan Brooks
  • G-Strings and Sympathy: Strip Club Regulars and Male Desire (2002) Katherine Frank
  • Transnational Desires: Brazilian Erotic Dancers in New York Suzana Maia

Video

  • Live Nude Girls Unite (2000) By Vicky Funari and Julia Query
  • A documentary about unionizing the Lusty Lady peepshow in San Francisco
  • Every Ho I Know Says So: Advice on How to be a Good Partner/Lover to Sex Workers