Safety & Consent Guide

• Video call first. Offer a free 10-minute video consultation before the first in-person session. It builds trust and lets you screen for red flags.
• Public meet option. For first-time clients, suggest meeting in a public cafe or lobby first. If anything feels off, you can decline to proceed.
• Share the itinerary. Tell a trusted friend or family member the client's name, session time, location, and when you expect to be done. Use a check-in buddy system.
• Trust your gut. If messages feel pushy, evasive, or sexual in tone before booking, decline politely and report the user.

• Security cameras. If you host sessions at your home, install visible indoor cameras in common areas. This deters bad behavior and provides evidence if needed.
• Video doorbell. A Ring, Nest, or similar doorbell camera lets you see who is at your door before you open it. It also records arrival and departure times.
• Separate entrance if possible. Host in a room near the front door so the client never needs to walk through your private living space.
• Neighbor awareness. Let a neighbor know you have appointments and ask them to check in if they see anything unusual.
• Outcall safety. If you travel to a client, prefer hotels over private residences. Verify the room number and hotel name in advance, and share the address with your check-in contact.

• Set boundaries upfront. Review what touch is okay and what is not at the start of every session, even with repeat clients. Consent is not automatic.
• Use a safe word. Agree on a word like "Red" or "Pause" that immediately stops all touch and resets the space. Both of you should know it.
• Check in regularly. Ask "Is this okay?" or "Would you like to shift positions?" every 15–20 minutes. Comfort changes.
• Dress code matters. Both parties wear comfortable, fully covering clothing at all times. If a client tries to remove layers, end the session immediately.
• You can end it anytime. You never need a reason. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or disrespected, say "I am ending the session now" and ask the client to leave. You keep the full session fee.

• Consent to record. If you audio-record sessions for your own safety, disclose this to the client in writing beforehand. Never record without consent.
• Keep a session log. Note the date, time, client name, location, and any incidents. This protects you if a dispute arises later.
• Save messages. Keep all platform messages with the client. Do not move conversations to personal phone numbers or apps.

• Client asks for sexual services or pushes past stated boundaries
• Client refuses video verification or gives vague location info
• Client shows up intoxicated or under the influence
• Client tries to record you without permission
• Client becomes argumentative, controlling, or refuses the safe word
• Client demands personal contact info or social media
• Anything that makes your gut say "no"

If you experience any of the above, end the session and report the user via Support immediately.

Remote sessions are a beautiful option for clients who can't meet in person, who live far away, or who want connection without travel. Suggested rate: $60–$100 per 1-hour session. Many cuddlers offer a 2-session bundle at a small discount.

• Use a separate work number. Never give out your personal phone. Free options: Google Voice (US), TextNow, or a dedicated Signal account. For paid options consider OpenPhone or Sideline (~$10/mo) — you get a real second number with separate voicemail.
• Video platform: pick one that hides your info. Zoom (free 40-min plan, no real name shown), Google Meet (use a dedicated Google account, not your personal one), or Whereby (no account needed for the guest). Avoid FaceTime — it exposes your phone number or Apple ID.
• Neutral background. Use a blurred background, virtual background, or a plain wall. Never reveal anything identifying — no street view from a window, no mail with your address, no family photos.
• Charge before the session. Send the meeting link only after payment clears. Use the in-app booking so the platform tracks it.
• Set the container, just like in person. Open with a check-in, agree on the activity (guided breathing, shared movie, conversation, reading aloud, virtual hand-on-heart), and close with a check-out. Same safe-word rules apply.
• Camera always on for both parties. If the client turns off their camera, pause and ask why. End the session if they refuse to turn it back on.
• No nudity. No sexual content. No exceptions. End and report immediately if the client undresses, exposes themselves, or asks you to. Recording the session for anything other than safety review is forbidden on both sides.
• Lock the room. Enable waiting rooms and require a meeting password. Don't reuse the same meeting link twice.

Session ideas: guided breathing, gentle yoga together, shared meditation, watch-party with a comforting film, story or poetry reading, "study with me" co-working, virtual cup-of-tea conversation, gratitude journaling out loud.

• Have a code word. Share a code word with your check-in contact that means "call the police now."
• Emergency contact on file. Keep an updated emergency contact in your Heart of Hana profile.
• 911 first, then report. In an immediate emergency, call emergency services first. Then report to us so we can suspend the user and preserve records.
• Panic button apps. Consider installing a personal safety app (Noonlight, bSafe, or similar) that can silently alert authorities with your GPS location.

• Join peer networks. Connect with other professional cuddlers to share safety tips, vet clients, and decompress.
• Self-defense basics. A basic self-defense class boosts confidence and gives you practical options if a situation escalates.
• Trauma-informed training. Understanding trauma responses helps you recognize when a client (or you) is becoming overwhelmed and how to de-escalate gently.
• Review this guide quarterly. Safety habits fade. Re-read this page every few months and update your protocols as needed.