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[Previous entry: "Paying the Price - Home Office consultation on (some bits of) sex work law"] [Back to the main board] [Next entry: "Safety tip #2"]
Wed, 4 Aug 04
Safety tip #1
If something did go wrong, who'd know?
Whether it's a booking or a pick up on the scene, think about who knows where you are and who you are with. If you went missing, who'd notice or call the police? And could the client be traced?
If you take bookings over the phone, get their number and record it somewhere safe. Is it a landline (home, work or payphone?) or a mobile number? Is it listed on one of the escort safety websites / 'ugly mugs' lists?
If you use the internet, is the booking made from an account you need a credit card for, or is it a free one where they could use any old details... or even one that promises anonymity for users? Does their address have any hits on google?
When you talk to a new potential client, ask if they've seen anyone else. If so, try to check to see if they're an ok client or one you might prefer not to see.
Many people call someone - even if it's just their own answerphone or voicemail - on arrival at a client's or when a client arrives, saying when they expect to be finished and that they'll ring back then, to make the client know they'd be missed quickly.
If you work at home, consider having someone else in (or pretending there is!) when clients are present.
If you're working on the streets, get someone else to note the car's registration number and tell them when you're expected back. Let the client know this has happened.
None of this is a complete protection - 'pay as you go' mobiles can be bought with cash and cars can be stolen - but clients who think they can be traced are less likely to cause trouble in the first place.
If you think you're in a dangerous situation, get out immediately. Trust your gut instincts.
And remember: someone who attacks you will probably attack someone else too. If you do have trouble, let the police know - they are treating attacks on sex workers more seriously than ever before. You can report it anonymously via many sex work projects if you'd prefer
Replies: 44 comments
Why can't service users create topics here? Bit of a power imbalance wouldn't you say?
Posted by Kel on 05 Sep 04
Well, in many ways, we are more open than most. We don't ask people to register with us before they can comment, for example.
We could let people we trusted create topics, and we'll talk about doing so when we next review the website.
We're also thinking about a project involving a website where sex workers - and anyone they cared to invite - could post anything they liked (within the libel laws etc!) including the facility to restrict who saw it. So you could keep something you said on it entirely private, or just let friends see it, or make it completely open.
In the meantime, if you tell us what you'd like to discuss, unless we think it'd be totally inappropriate, we'll start one for you.
Posted by SW5 on 06 Sep 04
"People we trust"? That's very exlusive isnt it? How does one become "trusted". I don't see how your policy of not getting people to register makes a difference, as you'd be able to see their IP whether they did or not anyway.
I don't mean to attack you or your organisation-which i'm sure is doing a wonderful job. I just think it's high time that gay sexworkers had an open forum in which to express their views. It may not be appropriate for your organisation to facilitate this, but it would be great if someone within the gay sexwork community set something like this up where guys can exchange views and ideas.
I think that in the face of the current changing sexwork laws, gay sexworkers need to be politically empowered and mobilised as individuals rather than having 'their' views channeled through social care agencies.
Posted by Kelv on 07 Sep 04
I agree with Kelv I know a very litte bit about web sites if you want to you can mail me at deangrant2004@yahoo.co.uk maybe I could set someting up
Posted by Dean on 21 Sep 04
It's not a case of not being able to do it technically, but there are a number of other issues to consider.
Would you want a board that anyone could see, for example, or would you want one where you had to register in order to view or be invited to join?
(One potential use for such a board would be to warn others about dodgy punters. There would be legal problems with having that on an 'open' board, for example.)
When the new project happens, I'm sure you'll both love it, because it really will be unlike any other existing sex work forum...
Posted by SW5 on 21 Sep 04
Is it not possible to have a forum where a part of it is restricted and another part is open? I agree that its very restrictive here in that you cant talk about what you want here as the topics are fixed. Keep the warnings board closed but there needs to be an open forum.
Posted by Jim on 15 Apr 05
".. of the week"?
Cough :)
Posted by Richard on 02 May 05
i am intrested in this position how do i apply
Posted by solomon on 27 Sep 06
brilliant!!!!! information that is helpful and non judgemental.. I am going to show this to the other girls i work with.
I am a 25year old working girl
Working in the sex industry has a big taboo cloud hanging over it. This has a knock on effect on issues other than social discrimination. it has consequential effects regarding mortgages, taxes, health screens and more.
First of all; in my experiences as a working girl there are different types of sex workers including: street workers; workers forced into sex work and sex workers.
Street workers and vulnerable people forced into sex work are in a minority compared to sex workers that are in parlours and agencies of their own choice, yet most reports and opinions regarding 'prostitution' are based them. In my experience people who I've known that have 'worked the streets' were usually feeding drug addictions therefore were vulnerable and sex work was somewhat forced to feed their habits, not chosen. Workers who are forced into work against their own will are also vulnerable and are too scared to leave, sex work wasn't chosen!!
For the majority of sex workers who chose their profession.... I do believe we could make this a legally recognised industry. I think we should be able to work legitimately. it would then however be taxable, i think we should be taxed but it is classed as immoral earnings therefore we cannot declare it!! we can say we are dancers but why should we have to lie. The 'tax man' has raided a few massage parlours near me and is threatening girls with prosecution for fraud and tax evasion. We wouldn't avoid any of the legalities if we weren't forced to. We cannot declare that we are sex workers therefore we cannot apply legitimately like other industry employees for mortgages and loans or pay correct taxes. Many of us feel everything we own is at risk. We would be honest but we are afraid of doing so. I say dust off the cobwebs of old fashioned views and legalise this profession, make it safe and make it a recognisable industry so that legitimate sex workers can be proud of the adult choices THEY have made, so that we can have financial security and not feel like criminals.
RIGHT TO CHOICE
surely if the sex worker CHOOSES, the owner of the establishment CHOOSES and the client CHOOSES all as responsible adults then surely none of us should be penalised!!!On another note:
Massage parlours need to be a profitable businesses in order to run. The owner needs to be able to maintain the general upkeep of the property, employ reception staff, provide security measures and supply working materials. The owners need money not only for their own wages but to continue to provide a safe environment for sex workers to work in. In my experience these people aren't pimps!! yet are branded as so. I thank the people who provide me with clean safe and respectable environments in which i have worked. There needs to be guidelines in place to ensure that workers are paying a percentage for the upkeep of their working environment and not feeding the greed of the stereotypical "pimp".
introduce legislation to distinguish between sex workers who are vulnerable and work, sex workers that are forced to work against their will and sex workers who choose to do this kind of work. Legislation needs to be set to distinguish 'pimps' from respectable agency and parlour owners
Posted by martine on 01 Mar 07
Taboo but taxable
Like it or not, streetworkers are the public face of prostitution because it's the one the public see most often.
Outcall is almost impossible to spot, and it's amazing how many people don't notice the indoors incall work going on around them.
You can pay taxes on sex work income, and lots of people do - ask on places like saafe.info!
For a start, as far as HM Customs and Revenue are concerned, even illegal income is taxable. Hence the tax raids on brothels: in most places, they take far more interest than the police.
But unless you're working on the street, or running (rather than just working 'in' or 'for') a brothel or an agency, you're working legally.
So everyone should pay tax on their sex work earnings: it's one less thing to worry about. As various places are indeed finding out, if you're advertising, they're looking at your ads.
In my experience, they don't even mind being told 'escorting' as a source of income - if they suggest 'entertainment' or 'therapy' or anything else, it's usually because they're concerned you might want to be a bit discreet.
The question of whether brothel ownership should be 'legalised' (i.e. with licences and what ever other restrictions Parliament can think up) or 'decriminalised' is one of those never ending debates.
Personally, I'd like to see decriminalisation, but I'd accept a licencing system for the owners.
Posted by Richard on 01 Mar 07
Hi people, on the subject of there being a website or board that you're able to post details about dodgy punters and information for each other, there has been something in existence for just over a year that you would be interested in. It was borne out of Gaydar's unwillingness to add something to the commercial side of their site. The site was setup by myself as a blog with details on those to avoid.
The site has now moved to a full community site engine to allow all of the escorts to put their 10 pence in. It's completely free as it should be has the forum on there devoted to information that really should be read to keep each other safe. There is a section solely with information on SW5 as there has been from the beginning. They will also be able to control the content on this page and will update their own announcements section.
I hope you all use it as it's there for you and I make absolutely no money out of running it. I just had a few close calls when I was escorting and don't want others to have the same.
www.info.buildportal.com
Hayden. x
Posted by Hayden Scott on 07 Oct 07
Escort safety site
I'm a bit sad you've deleted the old one though - some of those dodgy punters are very much still around and it's difficult to avoid the conclusion that Gaydar only care about the money coming into their pockets.
While I remember, I got the "Your account details will be reviewed by the portal Administrator and you will receive a notification upon account activation" acknowledgement from the new one four weeks ago and still haven't had the account activated.
Posted by Richard on 06 Nov 07
This is a message for Hayden Scott. Tried looking up www.info.buildportal.com and it says:-The hosting contract for Escort2Escort expired on 27-Nov-2007.
I would like to know if you have another outlet site up & running or if you will be renewing your hosting for this one?
Many thanks
Regards
MaureenPosted by Maureen on 27 Feb 08
Missing website(s)
Yes, it looks to have vanished. I never did get an account on it activated.
What with the loss of HookOnline (a very good American info site that let its forum be spammed to death and gave up entirely) and at least two other male escort network/safety sites, things are not as good as they could be at the moment.
If there is a demand, something will clearly have to be done...
Posted by Richard on 03 Mar 08
This board stopped accepting comments for about a week - sorry for the service interruption to all non-spammers (there are about a hundred attempts a day to 'comment spam' here!)
Posted by Oops on 18 Apr 08
What i find hypocritical in this country is if a man pays a woman for sex he is looked on as an exploiter of woman,but if a woman pays a man for sex she is not looked on as an exploiter of men.which i find extreamly sexist.
Posted by Greg on 16 May 08
Not once have i heard of men who sell sex to woman being prosicuted an yet if a woman does the same she could face prosicution if caught.
Posted by Greg on 16 May 08
Prosecutions
Selling and buying sexual services is legal in the UK. What's not is offering to do so on the street or in a similar public place.
I don't know of anywhere in the UK where men hang around on the street soliciting women, whereas most cities have somewhere where women solicit men...
Posted by Richard on 25 May 08
does any one have any information on elegancy4her escort agency. Are the a legit buisness or a scam..
Posted by david on 07 Oct 09
any comments on www.elegance4her.com is it real or a scam. cheeres
Posted by david on 07 Oct 09
Elegance 4 her
Complete scam, along with everywhere else that wants money from you before you have cash in your hand from a client. See elsewhere here.
Posted by Richard on 23 Oct 09
Back accepting comments again
It's taken longer than we hoped, but you can now leave comments here again. Sorry for the downtime.
Posted by The Management on 03 Feb 10
hey everyone, sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place but I need some help.
I few years ago I bought a timeshare at one of those high pressure sales pitches. I thought it was a good idea at the the time but now I can't afford the maintenance fees and the property taxes i have to pay every year.
Does anyone know of a place that can sell my timeshare for me? I've tried several listing companies with no luck. When I look on ebay there are timeshares going for $1. Is my timeshare that I payed a butt load for really only worth a dollar?
thanks,
Posted by tymoudiopsity on 17 Feb 10
Yes, this the wrong place!
The reason it hasn't been deleted is that there are lots of 'advance fee fraud' scammers out there that will go 'Yes, we have a buyer, please pay us our $$$ now and we will finish the deal.' Amazingly, once you have paid, the deal falls through and suddenly it is a lot harder to shift the timeshare.
It depends on where and when it is, but the resale value of timeshares is often very very low. It is not helped by the way some schemes go out of their way to make it harder to sell, like charging large fees to change the documents.
Posted by The Management on 18 Feb 10
**elite international.com
escort4everyone.com
virginescortsuk.com
gseuk.comall advertising on fish4jobs .co.uk
all want a fee before you go out on first date which
is non physicalim just confussed and is there any places you can put you on their books that dont want to charge help please**
Posted by cazfree on 16 Apr 10
Non-scam agencies
They exist, but really only for people who will have sex with male clients - there is not enough demand for non-sexual or straight male escorts to sustain an agency in those fields.
Posted by Richard on 17 Apr 10
ESCORTS4EVERYONE is a complete scam, I feel stupid saying this buy I got conned out of £500 from them. £200 for joining fee and £300 for a celebrity client, that never existed. Please do not fall for them. They have adds everywhere in the local papers and on internet! If anyone knows where to find these horrible ppl please let me know, as I will be the first to hunt them down, and if anyone knows how to get my money back please help :( I only joined as I needed the extra cash to pay for my bills and now I'm in even more debt because of them.
Posted by anon on 23 May 10
You should have a look at www.gentlemen4hire.com. It claims to provide non-sexual/non physical straight male escort services to women and requires a fee to get your profile up on their site. The fee is much smaller then the 200-300 pound fees requested by other sites, but a little common sense deduces that this could so easily be an attempt to reel in punters with a 'well its not much cash so i havn't got much to loose' attitude. Plus the terms and conditions are not as detailed or written in as formal a legal language as you would expect, and the graphic quality and visual style of the site is second rate, possibly a sign of an amateur with conning people a higher priority than presenting a professional business. It's your money, so do a little research, look deeper, and question what's in front of you.
Posted by carl novac on 13 Jun 10
SCAM
here is another cheap male escort scam houseofgentlemen.co.uk
I paid £10 by cheque and heard nothing.
If I had looked at their sister site houseofladies.co.uk I would have then found out they are both a joke and a scam.
Both non-sexual. I'm a male and I would never pay 100's to a girl for a chat and a coffee, I'll take me mam for free.The company is Dormant (non trading)
They still cashed my £10 and 100's of others too.House of Gentlemen PO Box 201 Exmouth Devon EX8 9AB
FAKE ADDRESS, does not exist
L & C ENTERPRISES LIMITED
28 ALEXANDRA TERRACE
EXMOUTH
DEVON
EX8 1BDStatus: Active
Date of Incorporation: 07/05/2008Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC(03)):
7487 - Other business activitiesAccounting Reference Date: 31/05
Last Accounts Made Up To: 31/05/2009 (DORMANT)
Next Accounts Due: 28/02/2011
Last Return Made Up To: 07/05/2010
Next Return Due: 04/06/2011Posted by Both Scams! houseofgentlemen.co.uk / houseofladies.co.uk on 14 Jun 10
GENTLEMEN4HIRE are also they people behind MALE ESCORT FORUM take a look at CanYouTrustThem
Posted by nicki on 18 Jun 10
Dateing Angels Diamond Companios Nights To Remember Moonlight Encounters Adorabelles Model Couples or anyone else asking you to pay into a Western Union Account IS A SCAM
Posted by Nicki on 18 Jun 10
Male escort work Scam gentlemen4hire.com
Male escort job scam is a set up by Brian who runs both vipmaleescort.com and the male escort scam forum maleescortforum.com
DO NOT join or post anything to scam forum maleescortforum.com
Brian who owns these scam sites reviews his competitors as scams and reviews his own sites as ok. The whole idea that you join and pay. DO NOT!!
A passing user, like you will not be aware that Brian owns both male escort job Scam sites gentlemen4hire.com and male escort Scam idealescorts.co.uk the whole idea is to make you believe the firms he reviews are genuine. They are NOT.
Brian is linked to many websites to promote his scam such as the following:
Scam website run and reviewed by Brian maleescortforum.com maleescortforum.com)
Brians scam website to give you the illusion that he is busy vipmaleescort.com
Scam forum pretending to have loads of female clients hiring escorts. conciergedumonde.com
Male escort web design scam site escortwebsolutions.com
Follow his twitter and read the Bullshit Twitter.com/ProMaleEscort
Brian lost his PayPal account for taking money he should not be taking.
As Brians scam is exposed he has been banned from various forums and had links removed from many websites.
DO NOT USE any of his services and spread this posting throughout the net to expose this scam artist.
Posted by Nicki on 18 Jun 10
Never Be Lonley scam i have just read a review on them and the girl that posted said the girl at the agency told her she was getting sacked and warned her not to pay them because they are a scam BRAVO to her.
Posted by simon on 26 Jun 10
I CANT BELEIVE HOW STUPIT IVE BEING I PAYED 350 POUND 2 JOIN ESORTS4EVERYONE ONLY 2 FIND OUT THERE R A CON I SPOKE 2 A SHE DEVEL CALLED CHOLE THE NASTY BITCH TOOK MY MONEY ND HAS NEVER CALLED BK
Posted by ANN on 28 Jun 10
Strangers in the night ripped me off, promised me 2 clients a week took my money now they wont speak to me. how can i get my money back
Posted by Sarah on 08 Jul 10
I did the same paid strangers in the night santander bank in name was j brydges or bridges wish I had seen this first.
Posted by Fool on 08 Jul 10
strangersinthenight.net
SCAM* DO NOT BE FOOLED
DO NOT PAY YOUR MONEY IN SANTANDERPosted by Jim on 10 Jul 10
Knight Owls are a scam for sure also found out that they are also Strangers In The Night
Do not join knight-owls.net 0844 4489036 and strangersinthenight.com 0871 8751124 and pay into SANTANDER BANK
The idiot who created there webpages left just a few tell tale signs, I had a mate of mine who does webpages look at them and he says both made by a idiot.
There is bad stuff on SW5 Forum and CanYouTrustThem. all about they people they have scammedPosted by Bright on 10 Jul 10
Unique 121, London, promised international clients paid a huge load of money upfront(embarrasingly thought as they advertised for staff must be legit) and still no work after 4 months. they advertised on fish4u jobs. Diamond Companions also SCAM, trading standards are looking into them, they based in spain. GSE UK also looking for money upfront promising work. Once you paid up they tell you another client from America coming in and they want you to pay more money to confirm. DONT do it!!!
Posted by West mids idiot!! on 14 Jul 10
Anyone know of any non straight/ bi agencies that are genuine?
Posted by gay or trans on 15 Jul 10
Lonesometonight.net is a SCAM
Bitch took my money and will not speak to me know
Posted by Kay on 23 Jul 10
I was conned out of my money from Selective Partners selectivepartners.com 0844 704 6886
they are also known as Fantasy ProductionsPosted by Steve on 27 Jul 10
Is gseuk.com a scam as i just sent off £250
Posted by jenny on 29 Jul 10
I have payed GSEUK a sum of £350 it has been a month and still no work they promised me i was taking over a girl who had at least 4 clients a week and they need me to pay as soon as!
I got through to somebody in the office after many phone calls and emails and they told me there turning work away for me i asked them why because am desp at the min and they said its europian customers who want me so because am not insured it usually costs £1500 but the would do it for me at £500 on top of my £350 I have not payed this but can somebody tell me if this is a scam pleasePosted by nikki on 02 Aug 10
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