Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/135515
our break when he called from an unblocked phone number one day. I called the officer on my case, and he confronted the man and told him that he was no longer to call me. He also told him that my phone now had a tracking device that could fi nd him wherever he was calling from. The calls stopped. The protocol for getting the authorities involved starts with saying very clearly to the caller, "I do not wish to receive your calls anymore. Stop calling me or I will call the police." At that point, you've informed the caller that these are unwanted phone calls. If the calls persist after that, you have every right to call the police. Do not engage with the caller again, do not argue with him or her, and do not tell him or her to stop calling again. Just hang up. If other people are around, put the call on speakerphone so there are witnesses. Note when and how often the person has been calling, and note the phone number if there is one. Let the police know as many details as possible. Often, you can fi ll out a form on your local police website rather than going down to the station to fi le a report. outcall Screening Checklist and Protocols outCALL SAFetY After some unusual early outcall experiences, and at the urging of my concerned husband, I decided to implement some basic protocols when it came to offering massage off-site. My new rules included leaving a note at my house saying where I was going and who I was seeing, complete with addresses, phone numbers, and times. I would check in throughout the day, especially if I was going someplace new. A client who used to teach self-defense classes gave me some additional advice about how to be aware during my outcall services. Paul Bowen of Santa Barbara, California recommends: Survey your surroundings to know where the nearest exit is. Find a secondary exit plan as well. Is your cell phone within reach, in addition to your car keys? If you need to leave suddenly, these two items are the only ones you should be worried about retrieving on your way out. If you are doing a new outcall, inform the client that you will receive a checkin call in 10 minutes as part of your outcall service protocol. A legitimate client will understand your need for the check-in. When I work at a hotel, the protocol is much the same. I stop at the front desk when I arrive, give the person on duty a business card, and tell him or her the name of the person I am there to see and the room number. I also tell this person that I will check back in when I am leaving. Then, before the massage, I casually mention to the client that I checked in at the front desk. Now, the client knows that someone else knows where I am. Plus, I make a connection with the hotel if someone needs a massage in the future! In addition to the phone screening checklist you use for your office, add these questions and follow these tips for potential outcall services: • Will anyone else be at the location (husband/wife/children, caretaker, friend, etc.)? • Ask about directions, admission into gated communities or security buildings, stairs and elevators, and parking. • Always call the client before arriving. This allows you to verify the phone number and name you were given. • Make sure your cell phone is charged. • Create a check-in system with family, friends, or colleagues. If working at a hotel, check in and out with the front desk, and verify the client's room registration. • Listen to your intuition. If something doesn't feel right, call the client and cancel. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 77