amNewYork, a free tabloid owned by Cablevision and Newsday, has an advertising section called “Feeling and Looking Good.” Many of the ads show pictures of Asian women and various services they offer, such as facials and body scrubs.
It is hard to tell which ads are legitimate massage businesses and which ads are disguised sex services (Lee, 2008). And although there are some legitimate massage ads, there are some that direct readers to therapeutic services also listed on Craigslist. According to Jennifer Lee, one phone number listed in amNewYork as “Asaka Spa" came up in the erotic services section of Craigslist. And an Internet search of a phone number listed in amNewYork as "Zuki," leads to Utopia Guide, which is a guide for adult entertainment. “In one review, a man discussed in graphic detail how he was serviced by a Korean lady named ‘Miki (Lee, 2008).’”
Ads with vague locations are usually places that offer sex services because they want readers to call rather than visit. “For example, the ad for "Zuki" gives an address only as ‘30th Street in Manhattan between Fifth Avenue and Broadway (Lee, 2008).’”
Lee interviewed the publisher of amNewYork, Terry Jimenez, and he said that they don’t accept ads for strip clubs or prostitution, only ads for spas and massage therapy services, and rejects anything that may be inappropriate. “Asked how amNewYork determines that, he said, ‘We visit (Lee, 2008).’”
Women who work in massage parlors that offer more than just massages may seem like they want to earn extra cash. However, some are brought here and forced to perform sex services, which is a form of human trafficking. And with the recent news about women selling themselves on Craiglist, I believe it makes it even harder for law enforcement to detect human traffickers and the victims. These types of ads on Craigslist, various magazines and internet sites should be taken down, and serious penalties should be imposed if they are not. To ensure these spas and massage parlors are legit, they should be checked by law enforcement regularly. If they are not legit, they need to be shut down. Lee, Jennifer 8. 2008. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/escort-and-massage-ads-rankle-womens-advocates/?scp=9&sq=human%20trafficking%20living%20conditions&st=cse
Photo of ads by Jennifer 8. Lee: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/escort-and-massage-ads-rankle-womens-advocates/?scp=9&sq=human%20trafficking%20living%20conditions&st=cse
Photo: http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2006/10/06/mn_trafficking_07.jpg
wow this is a nice blog.Sometimes there is no way of knowing which one is a real spas and massage parlor until you go in. Most of the time the women that work in this place are forced in to it
ReplyDeleteI didn't even realize that massage parlors had anything to do with human trafficking. Its weird to think that an business that is open to the general public is involved in this kind of criminal activity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that these ads should be taken down on Craigslist, various magazines, and the internet. Though I believe that it will be very hard to regulate the internet for sex ads. Maybe the companies who post these ads should face some type of financial or criminal responsibility in order for them to make sure they are not publishing sex ads in their publications.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, craigs list and other ad's that support prostitution should be shut down. I think it's sad how some women are force into prostitution. I would be nice if law enforce came up with a new way to keep up with track human trafficking and take them down.
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