The worlds of massage and sex services have long been tied to each other. Not because massage therapists perform sex services but because our society (and laws) has so far failed to shake its prudishness and has forced sex workers into euphemisms to operate, advertise and discuss their work. Massage, beautiful word that it is, has served both professions well.<\/p>\n
So what can we do to minimise the impact and frequency of requests for sex services?<\/p>\n
The first step is for massage therapists to remember that sex work is still work. Shaming sex workers is part of the problem, not the solution. Stating our offence at the suggestion we perform sex work demeans those who derive their income from sex work.<\/p>\n
If we ask to be treated with dignity and respect, then we need to treat others with dignity and respect.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nShaming or getting angry with people who are genuinely seeking sex services shows a complete lack of compassion, empathy and nuance.<\/p>\n
If we are in the business of care, we shouldn’t be discriminating against people on the basis of a pretty fundamental human drive.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhy Do Some MTs Get No Requests and Others Get Swamped?<\/strong><\/h6>\nThings that may influence the number of enquiries for sex work:<\/p>\n
\n- Socioeconomic status of your work location<\/li>\n
- If sex work is not legalised in your state<\/li>\n
- Home based clinic<\/li>\n
- Poorly worded advertising<\/li>\n
- Advertising in the wrong place<\/li>\n
- Clinic\/business name is ambiguous<\/li>\n
- Only a mobile phone number listed in ads\/website<\/li>\n
- Gmail or similar email address instead of one linked to the business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Solutions<\/strong><\/h6>\nApart from societal attitude changes, there are practical ways that massage therapists can minimise the number of enquiries for sex services.<\/p>\n
General<\/strong><\/h6>\n1. Get a website that:<\/p>\n
\n- Lists your qualifications<\/li>\n
- Sets out what work is carried out e.g. describe what is meant by \u201cremedial massage\u201d (or what is not).<\/li>\n
- Include a professional photo of yourself<\/li>\n
- Refer \u2013 with links \u2013 to your massage association and state that you abide by its Code of Conduct\/Practice, and if in a relevant state, that you abide by the Code of Conduct of the health complaint agency or body (e.g. HCCC in NSW or Victoria)<\/li>\n
- Maybe include \u201cwhat happens at your first appointment<\/em>\u201d where things like \u201cyou\u2019ll be asked to fill in a form that includes your medical history<\/em>\u201d, and \u201cyou\u2019ll keep your underpants on during the treatment<\/em>\u201d can be added under \u201cyou\u2019ll be left to get changed<\/em>\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tip: If you\u2019re creating your own website, get it proofread and get critical feedback before it goes live.<\/p>\n
2. Get online booking software and refer potential clients to that. Preferably software that requires people to provide their full name and contact details.<\/p>\n
3. If working alone, consider using a virtual assistant to take calls and make bookings.<\/p>\n
4. Before advertising with local papers, local magazines or sites such as Gumtree, do a search under massage and see what other services are listed. If it\u2019s mostly sex services, it\u2019s not the right place to advertise a remedial style massage.<\/p>\n
5. Nomenclature \u2013 Pick a title that makes it as obvious as possible what you do \u2013 Massage Therapist, Remedial Massage Therapist, Myotherapist, Soft Tissue Therapist. Masseur\/masseuse can be trigger words, so best avoided.<\/p>\n
6. In text messages, keep language professional \u2013 use proper terms, no abbreviations and no calling clients \u201chun\u201d or \u201clove\u201d or \u201csweetie\u201d etc.<\/p>\n
For new enquiries<\/strong><\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/emoticon-1659346_1920-300x200.png?resize=300%2C200\")
It is not ideal, however, to have massage therapists approached with requests to perform sex services. Any realist will admit that it\u2019s a situation that won\u2019t easily be resolved or terminated. Massage is not a protected or trademarkable word. Anecdotally, the Canadian experience shows us that protected titles do not stop massage therapists being approached with requests for sex services.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/giraffe-2840811_1920-300x200.jpg?resize=300%2C200\")
Over the last few years, massage therapists have received text messages claiming to be from a couple of bodybuilders who specifically ask for work on their \u201cglutes\u201d. Hands up if you\u2019ve received one of their texts? Hmm, an awful lot of you. It\u2019s obviously not a genuine request. The originator(s) are playing that game with massage therapists, wanting a reaction. That they\u2019re still doing it shows that they\u2019ve suckered a lot of massage therapists into interacting with them. Some who know it\u2019s a scam still want to play with them, sending an allegedly witty response or giving the originators a bit of verbal abuse. While they continue to get the reaction \u2013 any reaction \u2013 their text messages harassing massage therapists will continue. Imagine if we all responded with silence? Imagine if we blocked their number and got on with our day? Imagine …<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ara-3601194_1280-300x200.jpg?resize=300%2C200\")
1. Immediately terminate the session, explaining the reason to the client. Leave the room to allow the client to dress.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Sharon-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Sharon Livingstone is a massage therapist in Sydney, NSW. A love of sport drew her to the industry but discovering job satisfaction came from helping people live with less pain keeps her in it. Sharon is a writer, keen bushwalker and frustrated traveller who is also a coffee snob.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"