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So over here at Chicagoist, we’re constantly online, playing with social media instead of doing household chores. Since we’re so obsessed, we sometimes come across things that make us scratch our collective heads. Such was the case this evening. We searched “Chicago” on Twitter, to add one or two new voices to the constant twittering thrum.
Somewhere around page 5, after Chicago weather, we found the handle “ChicagoEscorts.” As we are the curious sort, we clicked through, never imagining that someone could be so blatant. The thing is, it actually is Chicago Escorts. Like prostitutes [NSFW, obvs]. With hourly rates.
The profile links through to a) 33 other Twitter profiles of escort services all over the country and b) via Tiny URLs to a ratings system that details what each girl does, and how much she costs per hour. [Marcus was more than happy to do the "research."]
Given that Chicago’s prostitution rate is among the highest in the country, it’s not really all that shocking. But the 100-plus followers who Chicago Escorts counts as its followers are more surprising - including Cons Helping Cons. One can only imagine the direct messages that go on over there - and the Tweetups sure to follow.
Update: It seems several of the "followers" were added by mistake. Bill Figel, President of the Board of the Beverly Arts Center, contacted us about this incident and told us, "There is no credence to any claims The Chicago Escort Service might have regarding the Beverly Arts Center."
Be careful about those automatic follows, folks! - M.G.
Post by Kate Gardiner
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Who cares? Prostitution will never go away. Don't be so shocked.
Well, it should.
No matter what you think, no matter how 'high priced' and 'high class' it presents itself...it is NOT a victimless crime.
"Well it should"
I'll be sure to send your comments on to the appropriate parties.
How so? I'm not trying to put you on the spot, I honestly want to know why you feel this way.
It's a service like any other. As long as no one is being coerced or tricked into it (ie: pimps, sex trafficking, sold into it, etc) and all parties are of age I don't see what the problem is.
Women in prostitution are often called escorts, hostesses, strippers and dancers. This is just semantics. The words are used by women in the sex industry to retain some shred of dignity.
You might say it's voluntary and that implies that she consents when actually she had no other options to survive. The majority of women in prostitution become involved as teens (or even younger). Their self esteem is damaged to the point of non-existence. When you feel that you are worthless, this is the way you will treat yourself and let others treat you. The dysfunctional relationship between a sex worker and her john and pimp is a dynamic that becomes addictive.
There is a brief shelf life for women in this industry, after which they are damaged to a point that few can even comprehend.
What goes on behind closed doors can also be very dangerous. Just because you are a high priced 'escort' does not mean that violence does not occur. A wealthy john figures he paid for this item, he can do anything he wants with what he purchased now. You can look like a million bucks, charge $1,500 per hour and meet the guy at the fanciest hotel around, and when you're inside get your hair pulled, get smacked around, get humiliated or whatever the john wants. You might call it satisfying your kinky side...but that's not what I call it.
The majority of women in this trade were abused sexually as children. That is a sad fact. With self esteem already damaged this can lead to the path of least resistance for employment, a way out of various family scenarios (poverty & abuse) and a way to get attention.
Studies state there are between 16,000 to 25,000 sex workers in the Chicago area. 62% of these women stated they started before the age of 18. 41% give cuts to a pimp and out of that 41%, 75% report that risk harm if they don't give a cut of their earnings to a pimp. The same percent reports some form of substance abuse.
It's a vicious circle and the myth of consent, is just that: a myth. Off street venues such as the escort services may look like there is no violence involved, but that's another myth. Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors. This is an issue of Male Power, Male privilege and Patriarchy. I have a list of percentages of women in 'escort' services who were slapped, punched, had hair pulled, spanked, pinched, kicked, had clothes ripped, something thrown at them, threatened with a weapon, threatened with rape and had forced sex..in some instances the violence is the same, if not more than street workers.
This is not a victimless crime.
Thank you for replying, Ingrid.
I said that "As long as no one is being coerced or tricked into it (ie: pimps, sex trafficking, sold into it, etc) and all parties are of age I don't see what the problem is" and all the things you mentioned fall under that category. Also dancing isn't the same as prostitution since most girls aren't going to risk their bread and butter screwing some dude for money; they're going to want the guy to keep coming back to the club to see her again and again (tipping her each time).
IMO, A lot of things you mentioned would be less likely to happen if prostitution was legal; more protection and safety for both sex worker and clients, better health care and mental health resources for those who choose this path. I admit I have major problems with the current system where punishment is given instead of help; as it is now the prostitute is usually the person arrested while the john gets off free (or of both get arrested the john gets a slap on the wrist while the SW gets time). That's like me buying a bag of weed, getting caught by the cops and being told to "run along now" while they arrest the dude who sold it to me. WTF, we both committed a crime!
First, escort service does not equal prostitution. It's a thin line, but there is a line and escort services fall on the legal side of it.
Second, I would like to point out that in a failing economy and high unemployment, men/women are turning to the sex and entertainment industry for extra income. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-02-03/kinkonomics/)
Interesting that in rough and tough times people are more willing to embrace their kinkiness. Imagine what it would be like if we all did, all the time, without guilt.
while i have plenty of issues with prostitution, i have to say this is one of the issues that i think would be much more well-served if it were legalized. it could be regulated, for one. i could go into great detail about some of my thoughts about society and women and men and strippers/prostitutes/porn, etc. and all of that. but, i also know that it's not going away and given that, we should make it as safe and fair for everyone involved.
there could be health stuff regulated. counseling stuff regulated if a woman/man wanted to stop or was hooked on drugs. there could also be the same services offered for the clients, as well. and lord knows there'd be plenty of money to fund these projects with the taxes and fees you could put on the services.
would there be a rush/increase in use at first? it's likely. just like if you legalized marijuana. but i think it would be minimal and it would fade quickly. people who are into going to prostitutes or smoking weed are already finding ways to do it. might as well eliminate some of the criminal element.
Bookmarked! LOL
Prostitution has been around since humans have roamed the earth. It's very hypocritical that it is still illegal. People of power have always had their mistresses/courtesans.
Hello, I am from the Columbia Chronicle. I was planning on writing a story about twitter and reference this bit of it. Would anyone be interesting in answering some of my questions if you have an opinion on the matter? Thanks.
Email me.
JimWittmann@gmail.com
Ingrid...have you ever known a sex worker? An escort? One who works behind closed doors? Based on your answer you obviously have not and believe all the myths about the sex industry that are handed down to you be "well-meaning" academics and the like.
Perhaps you should follow some of the escorts on twitter there and ask them what their experiences really are. You'll fin that they are a far cry from the "slapped, punched, had hair pulled, spanked, pinched, kicked, had clothes ripped, something thrown at them, threatened with a weapon, threatened with rape and had forced sex" that you believe happens. You know NOTHING at all about the real sex industry so go on believing the little "myths" that uniformed organizations like CAASE lead you to believe.
Libby,
I have known, spoken to and heard speeches given by people who used to work in the industry. I myself work as a volunteer medical advocate to rape victims.
What is in it for me to lie about something on an anonymous blog? What I am doing is giving information in the hopes of spreading some light on this situation. I used to believe that sex workers were there by choice and if it were only legal then everything would be ok.
It's not ok. It never was ok and it will never BE ok. It's a patriarchal system designed to benefit the one with the power and the money. If you think that's ok, that's your deal but please don't be so arrogant as to tell me what I know and what I don't know.
Ingrid...I am a sex worker, and I do it by choice and I have, many, many friends who do it by choice as well AND we enjoy it. I'm sorry that people like you can't believe that but it's the truth.
Sex work will never go away and while it's sad that some people are coerced into this industry and victims of violence on the job, perhaps if it was decriminalized we would all be able to lead safer lives on the job. Because of the criminalization of prostitution, many sex workers cannot or do not call the police when they are victims of violence on the job because the police will arrest THEM or not take them seriously. If you really want to help prostitutes, fight for decriminalization and we will all be lot a lot safer.
My next question to you was going to be are you working in this industry.
All I can say to you is good luck and stay safe.
Ingrid...because I like it. Can you believe that? Because it's true. And it's true for many of my friends. I also organize for sex workers with SWOP-Chicago. We're not all stupid drug addicts and victims, you know.
SWOP does great work. You know Betty I take it?
Reading Ingrid's sex-negative tirades makes me very sad. The assumption that women, and men, are unable to make choices about their bodies is so deeply ingrained in some people. Not to mention the fact that if police weren't crowing about busting consenting, adult sex workers they could focus their efforts on human trafficking, underage prostitution, and forced prostitution.
My favorite card to play is that while a sex worker is treated as a hardened criminal, often spending at least the night, if not days, in lock-up, johns are often released within hours.
I know many escorts and none of the have ever been "slapped, punched, had their hair pulled, had clothes ripped, kicked, etc" or had any extreme violence perpetrated on them by clients. As far as spanked...well, that's a different story!
But the point being is that this industry can be safe if the workers screen clients and protect themselves by surrounding themselves with a community of supportive people and checking in with people who know where you're at at all times. Don't judge everyone in an industry based on the horror stories of few of them. I've never been a victim on violence as a sex worker and I've had many, many positive experiences in this line of work, including meeting many really sweet, friendly clients who were very respectful to me.