GSSG Characteristics of Good Practice in Sexual Services
Why GSSG Formulates Characteristics of Good Practice
Sexual services can make an important contribution to sexual health. They can support people in experiencing their bodies positively, experiencing touch and intimacy, realizing sexual self-determination, and strengthening social participation.
For this to succeed, professionalism, a sense of responsibility, and a clear orientation towards the needs of clients are required.
The GSSG views the following characteristics as guidelines for good practice. They serve providers for self-reflection and clients for orientation.
1. The Client is at the Center
Good sexual services are oriented towards the wishes, needs, and boundaries of clients.
Providers create a framework in which people can openly express their concerns. They listen, ask questions, and meet different lifestyles respectfully and without prejudice.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
The needs of clients determine the encounter.
Personal wishes are taken seriously.
Decisions made by clients are respected.
2. Consent is the Foundation of Every Encounter
Every sexual encounter requires the voluntary consent of all participants.
Consent is not a one-time moment, but an ongoing process. Wishes can change, boundaries can be reset, and consent can be withdrawn at any time.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Consent is actively established.
Boundaries are clarified before and during the encounter.
A "no" is accepted at all times.
Uncertainties are addressed and not ignored.
3. Transparency Creates Trust
Trust develops where communication is clear.
Clients should know what services are offered, how an encounter proceeds, what framework conditions apply, and what costs arise.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Services are described understandably.
Boundaries of the offering are communicated openly.
Costs are presented transparently in advance.
No unrealistic expectations are raised.
4. Expertise is Part of Professionalism
Sexual services require professional knowledge in addition to practical experience.
This includes in particular knowledge of communication, relationships, boundaries, sexuality, disability, and sexual health.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Providers engage in regular continuing education.
Their own competencies and boundaries are reflected upon.
When necessary, other specialists are recommended.
Professional knowledge is conveyed comprehensibly and understandably.
5. Sexual Health is Promoted
The GSSG focuses on sexual health.
Professional providers have up-to-date basic knowledge about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They know methods of prevention and risk reduction and can provide factual information about them.
Good practice avoids two extremes: It neither trivializes health risks nor reduces sexuality solely to risks.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Knowledge of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis, and other relevant STIs is present.
Protective measures are discussed appropriately according to the situation.
Information is conveyed factually and without stigma.
Sexual health is understood as part of general well-being.
6. Discretion and Data Protection are a Matter of Course
Many people desire particularly protected handling of information regarding their sexual lives.
Professional providers respect this need and treat personal details confidentially.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Personal data is protected.
Confidentiality is maintained.
Information is collected and processed only to the necessary extent.
The privacy of all involved parties is respected.
7. Participation is Enabled
People with disabilities have the same rights to sexuality, intimacy, and sexual self-determination as all other people.
Good practice considers different support needs and looks for ways to enable participation.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Individual needs are taken into account.
Barriers are reduced whenever possible.
Support persons are involved only to the extent required.
The wishes of the clients remain decisive.
8. Quality Continues to Develop
Professional work means learning from experience.
Therefore, feedback, complaint options, and regular reflection belong to good practice.
Characteristics of Good Practice:
Feedback is taken seriously.
Criticism is processed constructively.
One's own work is reflected upon regularly.
Quality is continuously further developed.
The GSSG Guiding Question
Good sexual services can ultimately be measured by a simple question:
Does the offering of a sexual service contribute to strengthening the sexual self-determination, well-being, participation, and sexual health of my clients?
Where this question can be answered with conviction in the affirmative, sexual services become a contribution to sexual health. It is precisely in this that GSSG sees the standard of good practice.