Personal safety during mobile outreach has a slightly different dynamic than brick and mortar spots with walls and lots of people. Mobile outreach by definition takes place on the street, in peoples campsites, in trap houses, and in other environments where misconduct is simply more likely. As a consequence it’s really important that people who do mobile harm reduction services think carefully about their personal boundaries and safety while on the job. Some suggestions from harm reduction leaders include:

• Take the time to really think about what you are and are not comfortable with while you’re in the field. If you don’t know what your boundaries are, you are more likely—warned long time harm reduction folks—to be defensive or reactive in ways that are really unproductive. It’s important to think ahead of time about what kind of behavior you’re personally comfortable with or not so that you can react calmly should that behavior arise. This is especially important with regard to sexual harassment if you are a woman or femme presenting. People deal with it in a variety of different ways, so think about how you will deal with it before it happens.
• Never carry large amounts of cash or valuables like jewelry or expensive electronics during mobile service delivery.
• Do not accept gifts from participants. If folks are extremely insistent and it might cause social estrangement not to accept the gift, accept it on behalf of other participants or the agency, not yourself.
• Try to keep at least “kicking distance”—the length of your leg—between yourself and the participants you’re talking to. This isn’t because you should suspect they will kick you, but rather because you want to give them enough space for them to feel safe which, for many people, is at least far enough away that you cannot grab them.
• Feel free to kindly inform participants of boundaries and be sure to explain if it’s an agency policy, a legal requirement, or a personal boundary..
• It’s always important to assume positive intent. This does not mean to take everyone at face value at all times, but even if you suspect what you are encountering is actually hostility, this tactic disarms and de-escalates folks.