I normally like to post something light on Fridays, but today I have to address a serious issue. In these post-Backpage days of heightened awareness about online prostitution rings, many concerned parents are asking themselves, "How can I know if my daughter is experimenting with online sex work?"I've been following online sex workers for several years now, and based on my … [Read more...] about Five Signs Your Daughter May Be an Online Sex Worker!
Sex Work
Getting to Know Sex Workers
Maggie McNeill has a standing request that allies and supporters of sex workers do something to express that support whenever Friday the 13th rolls around. I had intended write something two weeks ago about my personal experience learning about sex worker rights, but I ran into technical difficulties before I could finish. This post is adapted from that piece.It's … [Read more...] about Getting to Know Sex Workers
The DOJ Performs As Expected on Backpage
On Friday there was a big news splash about the Department of Justice coming down hard on Backpage.com executives for their involvement with child sex trafficking. The Backpage.com site was taken down, and there were reports and rumors of seizures, searches, arrests, and a 93-count indictment. We didn't get to find out much more, because despite all the publicity, the … [Read more...] about The DOJ Performs As Expected on Backpage
You Bastards! You Killed Backpage!
Well, it looks like the bastards finally took down backpage.com.I hate these website confiscation notices. The agencies involved always plaster their logos all over the damned thing, like they're so proud of how they wrecked someone's business, like a bunch of dogs pissing all over to mark their territory. It makes me sick.The reaction from sex workers on Twitter is … [Read more...] about You Bastards! You Killed Backpage!
Not Helping Youths In the Sex Trade
Last Friday I wrote about Elizabeth Nolan Brown's terrific Reason magazine article on the FBI's long involvement in policing Americans' sex lives. In this post, I'd like to follow up on a small detail that caught my eye.Supporters of anti-prostitution law enforcement operations often justify them as necessary to protect victims of sex trafficking, especially children. … [Read more...] about Not Helping Youths In the Sex Trade