I've come across a few things lately...information about john schools educating men about exploitation, studies where men are supposedly reporting they assume most women are not in sex work by choice, and most recently, a response to a board post where the poster (a TER member) states he thinks "0 percent" of women would be here if it weren't for financial desperation.  

While studies regarding the exact numbers of participants in sex work are difficult for any of us to determine due to the multi-faceted, multi-leveled and clandestine structure of the industry, in your own personal experiences, how many sex workers (dancers, pro-Dommes, escorts, and all of that...) do you feel are not in it by choice, whether that be direct coercion or just situational survival?  

Also, have any of you ever come across obvious situations of human trafficking??  I would be interested to hear those stories, either here or privately.

xoMegan

I'm sure that there are some gals who are forced into sex work by people who use intimidation and cajouling to get them to participate.

Then there are some gals who seem to feel that they were placed on earth to practice this profession and love their job.

In the middle there is the gal who is OK with it but it she had the chance to have a career doing something else would go for it.

And there is everything in between.

So, where do you draw the line?

I can't say that I've ever met anyone who indicated to me that they were performing this against their will, but then again, how would I ever know for sure?

obviously not a man ... but had to chime in

I think better way to pose a question is "what percentage of women in sex work are doing it of financial desperation compared to women in civvie work"?

I've spent number of years in corporate world, and have enough education and experience to make living in "civvie" ways.

After comparing being Courtesan and being corporate employee.....I would say larger percentage of women in corporate america are there because they are "forced by circumstances".

Lina

If I owned an oil well, I wouldn't be at this desk trying to look like I'm busy on some project right now; but instead I'd be in bed with one of you gals.

if they could make the same or better money doing a different job?

I've met many providers and not once did I get a feeling that she was doing the job because of another person pressuring.   However, I have met many providers that have 'golden handcuffs', meaning that they make more money doing the provider job then they could doing another job.

I think that situation is true for many people who make a very good living doing a job that they may not be thrilled with but continue doing it because of the financial gain and the inability to make the same money in a different job.

Asking how many women are forced to be escorts due to dire financial situation is probably same as asking how many lawyers/ drivers / etc etc are doing it only because they have to make a living.

Real question is though how many women are forced by trafficers and pimps.

That is serious issue that is subject of totally different discussion.

Lina

I agree (and made a similar point on my Chicago board post) about people being stuck and exploited in more socially acceptable employment.  No one likes to think about how often THAT happens...

I really do want to get a read on the general *perceptions* (as best they can be determined) of how our clients view what place we women operate from though.  I know it's hard to determine, which is why I'm asking simply from their own perception and experiences (even if those experiences are wrapped in fantasy and delusion).

There are many, fascinating off shoots for this discussion, and I appreciate yet another example of "real" jobs vs. sex work whoring!

xoM

We need immigration reform and punishment of human rights violators-  whether the people being exploited are sucking dicks, changing diapers, or scrubbing floors etc... The article below estimates that over 1 million undocumented workers are currently being exploited in "domestic" type jobs.

"In one particularly grim case, a wealthy couple went on trial...[in] New York's Long Island, on federal charges related to the alleged abuse of two Indonesian women brought to the United States as housekeepers. Prosecutors say the women were held as virtual slaves, beaten, and paid no wages except for $100 a month sent to relatives abroad."

"He thinks "0 percent" of women would be here if it weren't for financial desperation.  "

THAT'S HILARIOUS!

Obviously it hasn't occurred to this fellow that many ladies actually have day jobs, and *aren't* financially desperate.

For me it was a youthful fantasy.  My two closest friends still remember me talking about wanting to be a call girl one day.  I came into this life style with a great deal of joy and expectation.

There's another scenario not being addressed. Women who aren't financially desperate, who don't like the business, but do like the money.

I say about half of women don't like the business, but like the financial benefit.   However, I've met plenty of ladies that LOVED being a companion, and they've no reason to lie to me, I'm not booking them.

Well... that's not true, sometimes I book them

I have once come into contact with "human trafficking".  She was from Russia, she knew she was being brought here to work as an escort. She signed a contract agreeing to work X numbers of hours a day or week.  It was grueling, she had to see a lot of men.   I sent her a kind gentlemen I thought she'd get along with, and he told me she looked so tired, he actually just let her fall asleep and chilled out till he was ready to go, leaving the donation.

Above and beyond the call of duty, but shows the spirit of a compassionate soul. I love good men.

It's sad that some women don't enjoy it.

I will say this, I have met more gentlemen IN the hobby than on a personal level. And it seems the minute a guy I know on a personal level pulls away when he finds out what I do, suddenly losing respect for me. But that one, can't compare to the many men who adore and appreciate me for what I do offer.

Not entirely on topic, however:

I read a university study on this business that used a lot of information from TER.  

Apparently public sex work (street walkers) in North America is estimated at about 20% of the overall companionship population.

It's a hard when you're seeking a life mate.

I've had some relatively good look, I've developed a system of easing guys I'm dating into it.  Other ladies have had minor success with it as well.  Feel free to PM me

This *is* dating for me.  I am polyamorous, so I have no interest at all in having one committed relationship.  I actually find my ideal place is 2-3 intimate ongoing lovers.

So, I date the men I meet as Lauren for fun, and then I get lucky, find someone I can adore who sincerely cares for me and we set up a mistress relationship.   I'd like to think one of them will be lifelong, but few things last forever.

This life can be a subscription to loss.

It was on site offering support services to victims of sex trafficking, which I always take with a grain of salt since they ONLY see victims and have nothing to balance the perspective with...

It said something to the effect of "no little girl every wants to grow up to be a prostitute."  Saying that no one can ever really *choose* this profession.  I just shake my head...oh what little they really know about human fantasy development and sexuality.  *sigh*

xoM

The distribution is 16%/68%/16% for a standard curve.  While not exact by any means it is a good place to start a discussion because it has been found to apply to so many varied topics.

You could probably assign the bottom 16% as those in situations "beyond their control" through either drugs, debt, trafficking, etc.  

The bulk of the population falls into the 68% section, the bell part of the curve.  Typically you can split this into two populations of 34% each, on each side of the "middle".  In this case 34% would like the money more than the job and 34% would like the job at least as much as the money.  All of the 68% group however would move on when a good enough opportunity presents itself, be it marriage, job with benefits, etc.

The top end of the spectrum is another set of 16% who end up with lives devoted to sex/companion work despite having other opportunities.  They simply like certain aspects of the job so much that it becomes part of their permanent identity.  They may not stay providers the entire time, they may move into more mistress/kept woman roles or go on to run the agencies that employ the many of those in the 68% group who are willing but clueless as to how to get into business.

I know, I know....you thought there'd be no math

I know at least three ladies that had childhood fantasies of entering into prostitution.

I guess it never occurs to these agencies that those who love their choice aren't actually going to go looking for help at any point.

I wish there were escort run agencies for escorts looking to get out. I think we could provide our sisters with more meaningful support then a collection of misguided Mother Theresa's.

Puritanical social norms imposed on the society as whole and based on the general view in the US as sex is bad. Don't believe this is healthy disposition. In many other cultures, this is an accepted profession and have been such for 1000's of years. Concubines were and are a normal part of the society in these cultures and it is accepted both ways. If anyone has read the real Kama Sutra (not the one's describing various positions) then you would have come across this. Kama Sutra goes into great detail as to how to treat women in variety of situations.


No denying there is human traffic, pimps and such that do exploit women. I would say those women are exploited because of desperation. But most ladies on this board appear to be intelligent, confident and self aware. So the question by OP is probably viewed through the puritanical prism.

As one of the other posters pointed out, financial necessity is vague and would be difficult to quantify.  The coerced ones are the most alarming to me. Here in the USA, I don't think it is a large percentage of the overall courtesan population - maybe 5% or less.  Overseas, especially in Asia and eastern Europe, that percentage is much higher.

In the USA, I think the lower down the ladder (i.e. street walkers, massage parlors) the more likely the person is being coerced in some way.

If I knew a female was being coerced into an act of prostitution, I would never engage her in any services.  I also won't party with a minor or anyone that even looks like she is close to being underage.

OC

...and those are likely the ones who ONLY do it for the money.

IMHO as usual...
JP - lovin' the pink parts!

Four categories, not including actual servitude which would be a fifth.

1. Absolutely Willing
These women would turn down a job for the same hours at higher pay just to be able to continue providing. They really DO enjoy the sex, even with fat bald smelly old guys.

5%

2. Willing
These women enjoy their work, and are providing because it fits best with their lifestyle, proclivities and financial goals. If I wrote them a check for $20M tomorrow, they might even still choose to see 4-5 clients once in a while. They generally enjoy the *process* and sometimes enjoy the sex. They generally LIKE men and view them as moral equivalents.

35%

3. semi-willing
Given just enough money to make ends meet via some other mechanism, they would quit providing altogether in a heartbeat and never look back. They see this as a necessity and very often are excellent actresses. They don't enjoy the men, the process or the sex. Some of them actually hate men generally and see them as morally inferior. The very act of booking with such a provider confirms her worst notions of men.

30%

4. Unwilling
She is providing out of absolute desperation. You can identify this provider by her expression that she has no choice but to allow men to demean her and even engage in physical abuse. She often has a flinch response if you move too fast. She may or may not like men, but sees providing as an inescapable necessity.

Another aspect of this category would be a woman who, due to mental illness or reactions to abuse (especially abuse by male authority figures) is sufficiently psychologically damaged that she can't really give informed consent even though she thinks she can.

30%

------------------------
Over time, I have encountered women I would put in category 4.

While hobbyists like to think these women don't exist ... they DO. And they are more common than we think. Especially advertising in backpage or CL.

How do I know what is in these provider's hearts and minds and what they have experienced? THEY TOLD ME. Often in tears.

This is absolutely heartbreaking. I go to extreme measures to avoid sex with category 4 women.

MacDaddy (remember her?) was a category 3 woman. And she was, in fact, consistently rated 9/10 on both looks and performance. She HATED her customers, and thought they were vile. But they thought she was heavenly.

I TRY to avoid sex with category 3 providers through profiling; but the reality is that these women are fine actresses and generally plenty smart enough to realize what someone like me is doing.

The reason I try to avoid sex with category 3 providers is because I fear that visiting them could intensify the issues they already have with men; and it seems almost as though the woman is tricking the man into an act that is nearly (but not quite) rape in a moral sense.

I TRY to limit my hobbying, as much as possible, to category 1 and 2 providers.

Even with a category 2 provider; the sex itself may be unpleasant for her. This is normal as the odds of any given hobbyist actually being her dream man are in the 5% to 20% range depending.

In order to reduce the unpleasantness; I generally rely on homogamy. That is, I try to pick providers who are close in age, have similar levels of intelligence and with whom I have something in common otherwise. That way, if nothing else, she can enjoy the company and conversation.

I also try to pick ladies who clearly take a lot of what I would call "pride in workmanship." In this way I know unpleasantness to her is reduced by the joy she may derive from a job well done.

What? I'm more cynical than you thought?

I think you're 4 categories are correct.  

I wonder if you can guess from a website who is happy to be here?

revolving around acting skills instead of willingness.

A. Those that truly enjoy what they are doing. They rarely draw upon any acting skills expect for those bad days that everyone has from time to time. This would correlate very closely to your category #1.

B. Those that are good actors. They may enjoy their work occasionally or even often depending on the client but for the most part it’s just a job they are very good at. Their length of stay in the business depends upon their overall financial success which of course relates their overall expertise in all the areas of business acumen.
This would include most of your category #2 and about half of category #3.

C. Those that are not good actors. They do not rate well and do not last long or gravitate to the bottom of the culture.

When you are talking about someone in "financial desperation", I am thinking about someone taking a janitor job in a mall ... even that, I am not sure I am correct or not.  After all, the US of A is a land of opportunities.

A woman providing personal services are in "financial desperation"?  Probably not.  Someone truly in desperation probably is not visible to the public.

I don't see any providers; many providers screen out those whom they don't like.

So, it's hard to put a percentage on it.

But, as far as I know, most providers are Americans (especially now all the AMP are busted out).  They are somewhat attractive, they can afford a place for their business (hotel room, apartment unit etc), they don't do anything they don't like, they charge hundreds to thousands $ per hour ...

I think they are in for the money and for the fun.

(being a whore is empowering to them)

It would be a heck of a lot less if those exploited people didn't have to fear the possibility of being jailed and/or deported for reporting such abuse.

But we need to convince our legislators of that fact, and to do that we need people willing to make those arguments to them, directly and repeatedly.

Hopefully that is something we can get more people to start doing...  

xoM

Dear Ms. Morgenson:
I was wondering if you next topic should be also how many woman are coerced to work in the industry due to the recession.  Also within the topic you could ask about the myriad of education levels that the participants have and how many plan to stay long or short term.  Considering the lack of opportunities out there for all people that would be a good question and where do woman come from in a occupational origin that would work in the industry .  Now you are taking the question in another direction. Also how many people who are working part time in the industry have now decided to work full time in the industry.  Finally although it is an option for woman to write certain expenses off, how is access for medical care different here as opposed to most countries where woman who participate in the same professional discipline.

But John, I’m a little confused. I thought your screening techniques were so refined that you would (could) never find yourself in a situation in which an escort, with whom you were consorting, would be anything other than completely in control of her own destiny.

And yet....you have intimate knowledge of these "category 4" women; those women who are "Unwilling".  And, you know about their experience because they told you personally; often in tears.

But.....based on past posts, let me recall: you see a provider 2 maybe 3 times a year. And you’ve been at this for a coupla years, or so.

Which would mean your analysis is based on your personal experience with 4 to 6 or so providers? That's assuming you always see a different provider; and yet, you say you prefer to repeat.....so, yeah....just wondering where this conclusive data is coming from.

I agree with everything you said and I try to conduct myself in exactly the same manner. I don't want to be with a provider who doesn't like me, thinks that all men are the same and we're all using them, don't particularly like what they're doing but are going through the motions for the money, etc. I'd estimate that 10% of my reviews are category 2, and 90% are category 3. However, I recall 2 visits that were solidly in category 4. Obviously, I haven't been as lucky as you. The cat 4 sessions were horrible, the girls physically revolted at me being on them. They fooled me by being sweet and inviting until the "fun" began and then they turned sour in a big way. I left early on both occasions and came close to quitting the hobby. It took quite a few cat 2's to build my confidence back to the point where I could continue doing this. I have yet to meet any cat 1's and doubt I ever will. I think they're rarer than your 5% estimate.

Now there's a sex job that's 100% legal and you may even get M/D benefits if you're lucky enough to score a contract with one of the big players. Sure, you won't make as much money (likely) and you'll endure the same social stigma associated with providing but... no LE chasing you. Now that would seem to be a big benefit to being a porn star over a provider. Talk about fun, 100% legal sex in beautiful porn valley with beautiful people and AIM tests every few weeks. No one's offered me that job but I'd give up my current one in a heartbeat!

Here's another thought. There's a big difference between a corporate job and escorting for the same pay. First, escorting is illegal so you're always looking over your shoulder. You put in a lot of hours screening clients or pay someone a large percentage of the take to do that unrewarding, tedious job for you. Screening is unpaid time so you're not making as much as you first thought. As an escort, you live in a small very private world and your public life suffers. You can't tell most people what you do, so you have to make up elaborate excuses for how you spend your time and how you make money. There will be no public acknowledgement of contributions you've made to society, no awards, no attaboy pats on the back. And nothing resembling a normal life as most Americans experience it. In a way, you sort of live the life of a spy, hiding behind handles, traveling incognito, and watching your back. That's a lot of overhead for the same pay.

Of course, corporate America is a sucky work environment and you're not the boss in most cases. You're basically a legal prostitute for the company, getting paid for doing something which, in most cases, you'd rather not be doing, just like most escorts. The difference is, it's legal, no LE chasing you, and when you're off the clock, you can tell everyone you love how sucky your job is (what I call the bitch factor, lol). And those damn annoying taxes, boy, they really cut into your pay... I hate that part the most.

So what have I concluded? That being a hot porn star is the best job in the world. Lots of sex, no LE, warm sunny California, did I mention lots and lots of sex with hot babes? Oh yeah...

In my dream, I don't get paid to get it... Funny thing is, many porn stars end up providing anyway so maybe being a porn star isn't all it's cracked up to be...

-- Modified on 3/9/2010 9:17:34 PM

The idea that there aren't ANY women here who might actually want to be here is ridiculous.

There are too many reasons people in general make the choices they do. To assume 0% of women would be here if it weren't for financial desperation is silly. Some choose to be here for other reasons.

Good points, Lauren.

Xoxo.

"as far as I know, most providers are Americans (especially now all the AMP are busted out).  They are somewhat attractive, they can afford a place for their business (hotel room, apartment unit etc), they don't do anything they don't like, they charge hundreds to thousands $ per hour ...?".........

You're talking about women (people) who actually have a choice.

Life can get a lot worse than needing to take a job as a janitor in a mall. Many people end up living on the street, for any number of reasons; including kids (boys and girls)

That is financial desperation. The risk factor for sexual exploitation there is significant. There is no screening of "clients". There is no not doing 'what they don't like'. There is no working out of incalls/hotel rooms; no empowerment in being a whore.

And there seems to be no end of willing takers for that demographic.

And, no way to put a number on it since we simply don't know how many of these people are 'out there'.

Porn is really only actually legal to shoot in CA as I recall...  It has something to do with it bieng the only state to test prostitution laws, and the state courts deeming that porn did not equal prostitution.  

Great location to live if you enjoy SoCal (it's personally not my fav...), but it's also a limited experience overall then what I get now, and the sex is scripted with awkward positions geared towards optimum camera angles (BTDT).  Non-lethal STI's are common...ask Sasha Grey, who I heard give an interview about getting gonorreah or something within her first couple weeks of shooting as a newbie.  Yeah, no one wants to work with actors/actresses that want to use condoms, so you have to rely solely on testing, which is imperfect as protecting against diseases.  Another thing that wouldn't work for me... :-p  

Also, "escorting" is actually legal.  The direct sexual contact, arousal and gratification that *some* escorts may choose to include in their services is the part that is NOT...but escorting/companionship itself IS above board.  If it weren't, your local yellow pages would not have an inch thick section of "escort" advertisements, nor would places like Eros be able to exist.  That would be like the local drug dealer being able to have his number listed in teh yellow pages under "dope suppliers", or drug dealer advertising sites being front and center listing product, price, and contact for procurement.  

My experience of escorting is nothing like what you try and describe, although I realize that my circumstances might not be the "norm".  I don't  live my life in secret, I would still screen for my personal safety regardless of legal concerns, I don't look over my shoulder all the time, I don't have to concoct elaborate lies about how I make my money, and I am very much an "out" and active member in my community.  Not everyone is as lucky as I am (we all have different circumstances...), but again, you are generalizing the industry when there is really so many variances...  This is really something that cannot be broken down so easily.  

I do have to pay a hell of a lot in taxes though, which is the bitch any self-employeed person pays (including porn stars...just ask Jeannine Lindemulder).  But any job has it's pluses and minuses...I talked about that in the CHI board.  At the end of the day, each individual has to weigh what works best for them, for their comfort level and for their lifestyle.

I appreciate you engaging in the conversation, and appreciate your intentions.  I don't think you are the only person that probably feels the way you do, but I just don't think we have many conversations about it to break all that down.  People within our community are just as guilty of assumptions as those outside sometimes, and the only way to combat that is to have these types of exchanges.

Time for night-night...I have to be up in about 4 hours...

All my best,

xoM

PS-I did not spell check...someone can spank me later about that...

None of the regular "providers" on this board are willing participants!  They only got involved to join TER and play board games!

Before I ever booked sex with a provider, other than a couple who were through referral; I did my homework two ways.

First, I was commissioned by an organization to do a study involving interviewing providers. They were paid for their time, but there was no sex. I interviewed quite a few.

Second, before I started booking my own for actual sex; I booked providers to just sit and chat.

In other words, because of my moral concerns; I did a lot of homework up-front.

Do you think I actually had sex with these women who were crying and telling me about how the guy in the previous appointment treated them? No way, Jose.

So -- my "knowledge" and "experience" come from being in the company of factors more providers than I have actually seen for sex.

As for the exact details of how many providers I see how often; as my techniques have become more refined I have become more confident in my ability to hobby without harm. Particularly, starting last fall, I became more confident in that regard.

Most of my appointments are with one provider.

Last year, because the previous provider I had been seeing became too attached to me for her own good; (and another moved and another retired) I guess you could say I did a fair number of interviews. Not many, but some.

So now it is a different lady with whom I have most of my appointments. Their nature and frequency varies; but about half the appointments involve sex and the other half are outside the bedroom.

In addition to her, I book other ladies occasionally. This year, I will likely see only 2 ladies I haven't seen before.

The overwhelming preponderance of my visits are repeats. But for visits involving sex; the total number this year will be 8. Since you are curious and paying attention. (*grin*)

But apparently you DID miss the posts I had made desribing all the interviews I had done prior to hobbying.

You are right about that. I'm sure most providers wished they could live such a carefree life without fear of LE, axe murderers, stalkers, etc. Further, if we weren't socially shunned, I'm sure more providers would come out and not have to come up with "elaborate excuses" for their lifestyles.

Megan: Your carefree experience certainly is of the minority. Kudos you can live this way.

Polish_Pirate: You make good points about what we do here being illegal. While Megan is correct that escorting is technically legal, we all (including LE) know what is going on here. If I were to read any of the ladies *fantasy* reviews on this thread, I am certain there would be an element of sex involved. This is what is illegal and obviously is a part of this business, thus causing most providers alarm. Nobody wants to be arrested.

Anyway, I really enjoyed your paragraph about the disadvantages many providers experience as an escort. While this might not be the case for a small minority, it is refreshing to have you acknowledge these things, rather than live in never never land that things are always so perfect and carefree for providers, as that is not the case.

By the way, stating these realities does not mean a provider does not like her job. It just means that she is being realistic about some of the disadvantages that come with being an escort.

Besides, sometimes I get off on the part about being a spy. It's an adrenaline rush, I guess. But I'm different in my own way too.

Xoxo.

...schedule, etc. There could be many reasons why a woman who doesn't like sex is an escort.

It's not black and white, but so gray out there.

Xoxo.

I'd just sell dinners and overnights.  
It is a fun way to meet people and the men I meet especially for longer dates are successful and interesting and men I wouldn't normally meet in my usual day to day.

Not that I am totally opposed to hours but in general it is more of a hassle to find the quality men that way. Usually men who want to be anonymous..hit and run.  

In the USA I wonder how many ladies are really enslaved.  Would they be immigrants? abused citizens?  Supposedly Linda Lovelace came out latter in life and said she was forced into the deep throat role and the adult film industry.

I don't know how many women are the victims of human trafficing or feel forced into this for financial reasons.  I've never encountered either situation (that I know of).  Some women like this kind of work.  Some find it an easy way to make money even though they're quite capeable of doing something else. I stay away from Asian Spas or Latino agencies for just that reason...to be certain I'm not seeing someone who's been forced into the business.

NOT carefree...just not overly paranoid

And I've had a stalker...someone I never even met until day I took him to court for a PO.  

But my not being overly paranoid is from more then just my ability to be  "out" and proud.  I also set my business up with safety in mind...  When you have a good foundation in place for those things, one has the ability to relax and enjoy more...regardless of whether family and friends know the full scoop.  I was not always out...

And part of not being socially shunned is about educating the mis-informed.  Right now, most people have nothing else to go on other then the trafficking/exploitation/drug/crime/victim issues the media focuses on...or the HDH scandels.  None of that speaks to the experiences that I think are more common among us, and more of the norm...and it's hard to expect people to understand when they don't have the full facts.  Until more SWrs start talking about who we really are and what our experiences are (and stop playing into being a victim to be forgiven for our "sins"), the only people that will know us and get us will be US.

I hope you don't take my remarks as glossing over the disadvantaged within our industry...I fully recognize those ills, and am involved in doing what I can to help those in less fortunate situations.  But I also think we need more of  a balance in the perspective that not all sex workers are victims, and unfortunately people like to focus more on that.

I certainly AM glad that PP doesn't have his head in the sand about those that are disdvantaged!  I just don't want too much of that pendulum swinging in the other direction either.  Hopefully these conversations help find that balance somehow...

Much love,

xoM

Started thinking about this AFTER I posted. The 5% is way off - and much too low.  

I only deal with independent courtesan's and an occasional visit to a legal Nevada brothel.  I have never partied with a street walker, never been in an illegal brothel and only once ever been to a massage parlor (and it wasn't an AMP).  Most of the coerced courtesan's are in these circumstances so I really have little knowledge of the scope of these kinds of operations and what percentage it is of the total prostitution market place but I suspect it is far larger then the segments that I visit.

OC

In support of making sex work legal.  Anonymous surveys often how that peoples actual opinion that it should be legal is high but when there's a chance that their name is going to be associated with their opinion, always speak negatively.

If US citizens stay afraid and silent, nothing will change.

Canada's good fortune is that it was never illegal to begin with. So they didn't have to change a law (which is socially and logistically messy), they just never put one in place to begin with.  That's a lot easier to do.

You point out something brilliant!   My favorite part of being a companion is the freedom it gives me.

I have more free time to read (which is very important to me), I can play a major role in the life of my friends and family more so then if I had a 9-5 job.  I can pursue my artistic interests with greater care, because I know my bills will be paid.

Freedom is the best gift this lifestyle has to offer.

I met a lady when I first started out, who worked at the same agency as me.

One day the owner saw her standing on a street corner on the neighbourhood stroll and freaked out - he couldn't believe a girl in his high end agency also used the streets.

He took her aside and said choose - I can't afford to have you ruin our reputation.

She chose the street. She made more there. According to her could pull in 1 - 2k a day easily doing a lot of shot meetings.

*shrugs*

I don't think it will eve disappear.

And there is one thing to consider.

Maybe with YOU she is a category 1 whereas with other guys she is a 2 or 3.

Sometimes its a chemistry thing.