Keeping safe, wherever sex happens

Sex happens in all sorts of places, many times in public spaces. Sixteen percent of men surveyed at the Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey in 2011 said they had found sex partners at beats.

While common, beat use has always posed a risk to those who frequent them. Legal risk, risks to their personal safety, and, of course, sexual health risks. Some in the community have argued that these risks point to why people shouldn’t use beats.

We feel that it’s better to educate about how to be prepared and protect yourself.

It’s important to remember that you can’t get into trouble with the police for just being at a beat — it’s a public place, after all. You only start to break the law when you are caught showing your cock or arse, or engaging in any sexual activity in public (this may include in a public toilet cubicle if the door is open, or in a car).

It is not offensive if the activity cannot be seen without the observer having to take abnormal or unusual action to observe it, such as looking underneath a locked cubicle door. It is usually best to cooperate with police if they appear on the scene.

However, if they wish to conduct an interview, and you feel you may have been in the wrong, it may be best to answer “no comment” until you have a solicitor present. If it sounds a bit tricky, it’s because it is.

To make things worse, there’s the risk of homophobic violence at beats. There are some ways you can provide yourself with some protection from personal violence:

• Leave your wallet and valuables at home. Attacks at beats may involve theft, and you don’t want anyone finding your ID either.

• Wear clothes and shoes you can run in if need be.

• Keep the iPod out of your ears — you need to be able to hear what’s going on around you.

• Stay away from anyone you think is suspicious — even if they look like your type. Be especially wary of groups of people. If threatened, run away if you can, and try to attract help by shouting. If you see anyone else being hassled, call the police or yell, and take note of their appearance, car registration, etc.

If you do experience violence at a beat, be sure to report to the police via the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers, and the Anti-Violence Project.

Even if the violence has happened at a beat, you are entitled to the help of the police, and they will take the assault seriously. They are there to help, and reporting the attack can help protect other users of that particular beat.

As with any casual sex, it’s important to keep getting regular sexual health checks at least every six months, depending on how many partners you have. Check out The Drama Downunder for a referral.

By JASON ASSELIN, Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre

INFO: Gay and Lesbian Liason Office 03 9247 6944
Anti-Violence Project www.antiviolence.info
The Drama Downunder www.thedramadownunder.info
Wherever Sex Happens www.whereversexhappens.org.au