In the past few weeks, the FBI shut down Backpage massage or Backpage.com, a widely used online classifieds site, due largely to the allegation that the site was being used predominantly to promote sexual services.
Many of these services were advertised in a “massage” related category and many of those offering these services relied on these websites to advertise and gain clients.
As a result, the popular website Craigslist also decided to shut down not only its “therapeutic” services section where massage would often be advertised (some presumably legitimate and some not) but also their entire popular personals section, where presumably there were also sex for money exchanges happening.
Combining massage therapy with sexual services is nothing new or shocking. Everyone knows about those red light “massage parlors” and an increasing number of “Asian” or “Oriental” massage places – some of which most certainly offer the “happy ending” which hopefully requires no further explanation.
What is new is that the United States Justice Department appears to be ramping up the age-old battle against various forms of “prostitution” and sex work, and they are taking their battle to the internet.
Regarding Craigslist, this is impacting websites used by both parties to find what they need. The removal of Backpage.com or Craigslist listings with sexual services should not affect legitimate massage businesses, but may cause unintended consequences for businesses like Body Well and independent practitioners.
This article takes a brief look at how these actions and results impact the greater world of massage therapy, including some unfortunate and unintended consequences.
Two views of the happy ending massage
First off, let’s recognize that there are two distinct ways one can view the issue of “sexual massage services” (for lack of a better descriptor) which can range from a massage that includes a “happy ending” to nothing more than sex without any massage involved;
One view sees these illegal services as an affront to true massage professionals that damages it by causing people to lump them together, and also raises prejudicial suspicion of those therapists who would never think of doing anything sexual.
On the same side are those who simply view it as an illicit or immoral activity and simply dislike it for one of these reasons. These sex services should be eradicated if possible. These are more or less ideological arguments.
The other view, which is one that I hold personally and have written about before (albeit in a different context) is that by criminalizing and forcing massage, combined with the “oldest profession” known to man into a black market, this in and of itself creates all kinds of problems – some more obvious than others.
Forcing people into illegal activities in massage businesses may lead to human trafficking.
Many have argued for as long as I can remember that prostitution is a victimless crime. By criminalizing it, more victims may be created using licensed massage businesses as a shield from scrutiny.
Ripple Effects of the Backpage Shutdown
Shutting down websites makes it hard for customers to distinguish between legit and questionable therapeutic services.
For my company, we sometimes have to answer questions about potential sexual situations from people testing the waters.
If websites stop providing a platform for certain providers, they may pose as legitimate massage therapists, which is unhelpful.
It only further blurs the lines between the professionals on the non-professionals.
Just when I thought I had heard the dumb joke about happy endings at work for the last time, things could turn around.
For some providers, being forced onto the streets or into unsafe situations is a worse alternative for earning a living.
It’s the oldest profession for a reason, let’s not make it less safe for everyone involved.
Legitimate massage therapists have few advertising choices because of the connection to disreputable practitioners.
Massage therapists have faced consequences when others commit illegal acts. Florida is the only state to prohibit them from treating car accident victims with insurance coverage. Why?
Because some criminals were using massage licenses as a tool to commit insurance fraud. Many therapists lost their livelihood and injury victims struggle to get insurance coverage for doctor-prescribed treatments.
The practical approach to the sexual vs. non-sexual massage issue
To address the therapeutic vs. sexual massage issue, we should differentiate our services to avoid criminalization.
Without anti-prostitution laws, we could have separate categories on websites without FBI interference.
Brick and mortar massage businesses could clearly display their services to avoid confusion and annoyance for potential customers.
Federal law enforcement targeting victimless crimes creates risky conditions for sex workers and harms legitimate massage therapy businesses.
The massage industry should legitimize and separate sexual services from legitimate practices to overcome suspicion from sites like Backpage.com.
Dan Melmed, LMT
Owner & Founder, Body Well
