Craigslist does something about Prostitution on website!

[livingonthebeach]

I was relieved to read that Attorney General Rob McKenna and others were successful in stopping some of the illegal activity that Craigslist is used for.

Apparently this article describes a section on the site that has escorts listed. I went on-line (just curious :-) and was appalled to find nude pictures and blatant requests for money for sex (some with WSea as location). I realize it is a small start, but it helps without censoring our First Amendment.

Here is the article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/386655_craigslist07.html

Share This

[JanS]

livingonthe beach. I agree, it’s pretty smarmy…besides being illegal.First, let me say that I am definitely no prude. But… There are people who actually advertise in the “therapeutic” section, offering “massage”, when it’s really about sex. As a legit massage therapist, I find that particularly offensive. Friends have asked why I don’t advertise on CL. I did once…got too many requests for the proverbial happy ending in the responses. I also found a man, advertising massage for women only, was upfront about not being licensed (totally against the law toadvertise massage w/o a license), was located according to him on 35th SW, up near Swedish Automotive/Mars Hill, etc., area.He out and out talked about providing a “sensual” experience for women. Nice euphemism.

Of course, there are many men who will argue that it should all be legit, that it’s the most normal thing in tthe world – sex – and why not let the prostitutes get paid well, and tax them. And, of course, they also think that I should be more than willing to supply that happy ending for them..that it’s just part of the massage feel good experience. Yeah, right.

Share This

[mellaw6565]

I don’t see what the problem is – the ads are on an adult-only portion of the site and unless you’re looking for it you don’t have to go there.

Prostitution goes all the way back to the Greeks and it doesn’t look like it’s going away. No, I don’t want to see women abused or taken advantage of, but there are women out there (and men) who see it as a business and conduct themselves accordingly without drugs, pimps, etc…..

I’m sure I’ll get beaten up for this sentiment, but at least they’re not on the street parading in front of your kids. Let them solicit privately online and only police it if there are crimes going on – like drugs, underage girls, robbery, etc….. IMO

Share This

[Anonymous]

mellaw – I’m probably the LAST person you want agreeing with you on anything, but, I have to say, I agree with you on this.

I think your points are valid and intelligent. I, too, do not, in any way, condone that activity. However, keeping it private, adult-only restricted and off the streets is one possible way of keeping it safer for those who do rely on that “profession” to make a living.

Share This

[JanS]

another thing that one has to realize when meeting up with some of the woman that advertise on there. Some have been busted for “rolling” the John once he gets his clothes off. They never meant it as a sexual encounter, just a means of stealing the guys money.So, buyer beware :)

Share This

[Anonymous]

Jan, care to share why you know so much about online prostitution :)

Share This

[livingonthebeach]

mellaw and new, I totally get your talking points, but face it – it’s illegal. There are two main reasons for my concern; first would these postings are NOT in an adult area on the site. They are listed under services, then erotic. While I don’t have kids to worry about at home, I have to wonder what other parents think. And tell me this, if it is a massage ad, why are there nude photos of the masseur?

And second, as Jan mentioned, massage therapy is a licensed profession. Not only are they practicing potentially harmful therapy on people (I know, it probably never makes it that far :-), but they are not paying taxes.

I guess I should be asking CL what their thought was in starting an Erotic Services section. What type of ads did they think they would get? Maybe they should be found guilty of being a participant…just a thought.

Share This

[Zenguy]

I fail to see the difference in taking cash for sex as apposed to a fur coat. Three words come to mind…Anna Nicole Smith!

I think it is humorous that I can get arrested for paying someone to have sex with me, but if my intent is to film and distribute it, then that is ok.

The money spend to police this mostly victimless crime could be better spent educating people for more productive jobs.

Share This

[mellaw6565]

Living – I have looked at those ads on CL before and most of them are not under “massage” – some of them are outright blatant re: what they are about. I see no harm in that for consenting adults, even if money is exchanged. I don’t condemn people if they want to call it a “massage” as well, but I do think there should be a requirement that they identify themselves as providing the “extra” service so as not to confuse them with licensed practitioners.

Further, I use to sell “toys” and other sensual items for a national company and really loved the education part of it for men and women. You would be surprised how many people are ignorant of their own or their partner’s bodies and appreciated having an outlet to explore items that will enhance their sex lives in a safe and fun educational environment. Those are the types of things that I think qualify as “erotic services” as well as internet pornography, which is also perfectly legal. So I think that is why CL has a category for “erotic services”.

BTW, I still have demos that I never sold when I gave it up – maybe I should put them out at the next garage sale. LOL!

Share This

[JanS]

Unfortunately, Zenguy, it’s not always a victimless crime. To wit…the asian gentleman who was busted not long ago for operating 3 houses of prostitution with women brought illegally into this country to perform the sex, so he could send money to his mother back in his homeland. And they probably paid him to come here, hoping for something better, and then he made them have sex with as many as 10 partners a day. How is being forced to provide sexual favors for money victimless? We don’t know all the ins and outs of the business of the prostitution business, of course. I’m sure a few of these women are working ontheir own, but it’s likely that a good many have pimps that take the money from them and only give them a cut.

JT..I know because I do research on it, and I’ve followed some of the court cases of women busted because of their CL ads.

The Stranger (imagine that) also had a classified section for those using massage as a euphemism for prostitution. There is a whole underground network of men who call themselves “hobbyists”…they’re the Johns…and there has been in the past a “review board” linking the women in Seattle with those in Portland/Vancouver…and it literally contained reviews of what these women would do for how much, how attractive they were, how good they were at what they do…things like providing a “GF experience” as in..girlfriend experience..I suppose for those men who don’t want it to seem like it’s just paid for sex. I don’t know if the links are still out there, but I’ll see if I can find some.

Share This

[mellaw6565]

Jan – like I said in my first post, I definitely don’t condone it if the person is doing it as a means of survival and has issues with drugs, pimps, etc…. And the sex slave trade is rampant in the world – I’ve seen disgusting examples of children being used that way in Vietnam and Thailand in front of my own eyes.

But with that said, I’ve also been in Korea and Western countries where it is legal, regulated and or otherwise a fairly above-board business with consenting adults only. I guess the issue for the AG’s office is to crack down on all of them to eliminate any of those situations where there is harm involved.

But overall on the idea of prostitution, I’m with Zenguy – if it’s handled correctly.

Share This

[mellaw6565]

I like to go to Hooter’s (great wings!) – and I always catch hell for that idea too from my lesbian friends:)

Share This

[JanS]

WARNING : Adult material…JT, here’s some links to review boards, etc…

http://www.theeroticreview.com/reviews/index.asp

http://www.usasexguide.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=69162671e5ddf35fa8845f9b824a4395&f=721

Share This

[JanS]

mellaw, what sticks in my craw is the fact that as a massage therapist, I’m licensed as a healthcare practitioner. If I do anything “sexual” in nature for a client, and I’m found out, my name is in the news, and I lose my livlihood. The women who advertise “massage” as a euphemism for sex charge $150-200 per hour, with no massage training. OUr(massage) laws specifically say that one cannot advertise that you do massage if you’re not licensed (I suppose they give them a slap on the wrist – lol). I don’t charge anywhere close to what they do, yet I had to go to school for umpteen hours and pass 2 tests with the state…and all it gets me is questions about why I don’t provide what these women provide during one of my massages. Lol..I’m 61, and I doubt I’m who they’re looking for anyway…SURPRISE! lol…I’ve actually gotten e-mails from men who have asked if I’ll do their massage in my undies, or some sort of lingerie. Guess you have to meet me to see how absurd that would be…I just laugh and tell them to go away.

I’ve heard Hooters has good wings, from more than one source. Are they really? hey, just curious ;-)

Share This

[JoB]

I wish that all the women being exploited through the advs on Craigslist were entrepreneurs who were making what they felt were positive choices for themselves…

but in spite of Pretty Woman.. that’s not what’s generally going on..

and advertising “massage” as a cover for illegal activity demeans a skilled and honest profession… and makes it more difficult for female independent practitioners to do business.

If your business was affected by those advs.. my guess is that you would think your tax dollars had been well spent.

Share This

[Kayleigh2]

There are definitely people who work with or have researched prostitutes, especialy teen prostitutes, who do not consider it a victimless crime. I agree with them.

Even if there weren’t evidence of the harms of prostitution (legal or otherwise) to the prostitute, the fact that men who are “committed” to other women use prostitutes and put their innocent wives and girlfriends at risk of STDs, including HIV, is a dealbreaker for me. (and no, health checks don’t appear to help much…)

http://prostitution.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=107

Interesting site showing both pro and con.

Share This

[Zenguy]

Jan, I agree that it is not always a victimless crime which is why I said “mostly”. Some are victims of the people that encourage them to solicite and use them and some are victims of their situations that leave them with few other options.

Share This

[JoB]

maybe they could crack down on just those that advertise massage or exploit women…

LOL.. wouldn’t you like to be the undercover with the job of sifting through to find those that “should” be prosecuted:)

Share This

[Author]

Posts