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Most of this has already been covered by other posters, but since I'm actually giving two lectures on this particular subject, I'll chime in. In the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) the following sections pertain to prostitution specifically: section 210 outlaws what are called "common bawdy houses." section 211 makes it illegal to take or direct a person to a bawdy-house. section 212 prohibits "procuring" prostitution or "living on the avails" of prostitution. section 213 outlaws "communicating for the purpose of prostitution." So what does this actually mean? It means that while exchanging money for sex is legal, the CCC creates a web of offenses which make it almost impossible to work legally in this profession. Section 210, the bawdy house laws: It is illegal to work in, keep or to even just be in a bawdy house. Anyone found by police in a common bawdy house, whether they are a sex worker, another employee, or a client, can be arrested and charged. This particular law forces sex workers to make a difficult choice. If a sex worker wants to work indoors and in a place where they have more control over their own safety, they risk being charged under the bawdy-house law. So what is a bawdy house? This law dates back to 1892, when a bawd was another term for a woman who ran a brothel. But under the law, bawdy houses are more than just brothels: a common bawdy house under the law, is ANY place that someone keeps or occupies for the puprose of prostitution (or for "the practice of acts of indecency"). Even if this is not its primary purpose, if it is used on a regular basis for prositution then it can be considered an illegal bawdy house. So, a brothel, your home, hotels, massage or body-rub parlours are all illegal under the law. Clients' homes are legal as long as the place is not used frequently or regularly for prostitution. Parking lots and cars can also be found to be a common bawdy house if it is used regularly for prostitution. Anyone who breaks this law may get a fine of up to $2000 or up to six months in jail, or both. Keeping a bawdy house carries a maximum sentence of up to two years in jail. If someone is convicted of keeping a bawdy house, the law states the the owner, landlord or tenant of that property must be notified and if s/he does not evict the worker and the sex worker is later convicted again for using the same property, the landlord or owner can be convicted of keeping a bawdy house. Section 212 makes it illegal to talk a person into engaging in prostitution, or to talk a person into purchasing sexual services (you can't make referrals either). It is also illegal to profit off the prostitution of someone else. So what does this mean? It means that anyone who regularly spends time or lives with a sex worker is assumed to be living on the avails of prostitution. It is illegal for a sex worker to refer a client to another sex worker, it is also illegal for clients to refer sex workers to friends. It is also illegal for a sex worker to invite another sex worker to join. In the Downey case of 1992, the Supreme Court of Canada said that 'living on the avails' offence should be used only against a person who lives "parasitically" off a sex workers earnings. By this, the court means someone the sex worker has no legal or moral obligation to support (ie pimps). As we all know it is illegal communicate for the purpose of prostitution in public (213), so what constitutes public? A "public place" includes the street, parks, bars and even inside cars. Sex workers (usually women) receive much harsher penalties than clients (usually men) do when they are convicted under the communicating section. According to Stats Canada, women: -get sentenced to prison more often than men; -get longer prison sentences than men; -do not get probation as often as men; -if they do get probation, usually get twice as long; and -are not offered diversion programs such as "john school" nearly often as men. Other laws which are not directly related to prostitution, but which cops often used against sex workers: Section 173: indecent acts in a public place Section 89-90: carrying a weapon Section 403: identifying oneself with a name other than one's own Section 139: obstruction of justice Section 129: interfering with the work of a police officer. I hope that helps! Basically, if you are a discreet with your ads and screen your clientele and do not work out of your home, you are pretty safe from the law. Generally, police bust street workers more often because they are the most visible group of sex workers.

I met with a long-time friend who is also a criminal lawyer today. I wanted to go over a number of things including my website. He's never represented a provider in any legal action, but has represented a few men who have been charged with being found in bawdy houses, so his advice might be incomplete, or too cautious. With that caveat, he was very helpful, particularly about incall locations. Basically, he said that any place that is used for prostitution on a regular basis qualifies as a bawdy house. So a provider who works from home can be charged with keeping a bawdy house even if they're the only one working there. They can also be charged if they rent another location and use that for their workplace. However, in Vancouver at least, the police aren't interested in charging providers who keep things low-key and quiet, he said. If there are complaints from neighbours, the police might be interested then, depending on the neighbourhood. He also told me that, in this province, a landlord can evict a tenant if she is using her rented home as an incall location. This is because the landlord could be considered to be "living off the avails of prostitution," which is a crime. Providers who have live-in partners who are not sex workers can also be charged with "living off the avails." In the end, it's all about keeping things very quiet and low-key, he said. He also told me to be vague about what I do in my website descriptions, not to refer to specific activities, even with acronyms like CBJ, not to show any images with my face (which I wasn't doing anyway), and to limit the images I do use to a couple of artistic shots. Those pics are of me, but are in an antique style and don't snow any frontal nudity. He said that if anyone queried the photos as implied offers of sexual activity, the connection between the old-style photos and sexual acts isn't explicit. They're less explicit than many works of art, he said. Overall, though, he said that independent providers aren't under scrutiny in general in this province, and aren't likely to be unless there are complaints about noise, traffic and drugs. He did wonder what would happen if a disgruntled client went to the police if he was angry about a bait-and-switch operation, both because it's a complaint, and it could point to the involvement of others who might be assumed to be pimping or otherwise living off the avails. None of that relates to me. I think that it's a good idea to get independent legal advice and not to take anyone's word for what's legal and what's not, wherever you are. My friend's opinion is just one opinion, other lawyers might see things differently.

Okay I'm not even sure where to start. If you could please provide some references for the information you have provided I'd appreciate it, as I strongly disagree with your theories and the many lectures and courses I've attended have taught me differently I would like to know your sources in order to compare. Rather than debating point by point I'll simply agree that negotiating is not a good idea but for vastly different reasons. I am a trained negotiator and have attended many workshops put on by various business schools on the art of negotiation and economic egagement. I've also taken many marketing and social science courses where I've learned that there is a difference in how people approach different scenarios and that the mind does not and cannot apply market values to all engagements, that many people actually apply social values to many business engagements and that this is actually a very effective way for people to do business and that we often achieve higher tangible results by setting a social values environment. When social values are applied to a setting you'll find that switching to a market values mindset often offends the other party. Imagine having your mother-in-law make a really nice dinner and instead of bringing a nice bottle of wine (which is a form of payment, but a gift is a socially accepted payment) you at the end of it decide to stand up and say "that was great, now what do I owe you?" and proceed to count out some cash and toss it on the table. That would be socially unacceptable, you would be applying market values to a social setting and she would not find it funny. Instead saying "That was wonderful and I appreciate your hard work, I'd like to get you a nice gift." would be a socially acceptable response. We as a society accept gifts in kind for our hard work in social situations. When escorts are working they generally apply social values, hence they ask for the money in an envelope and not to be discussed. Because the discussion of money begins to bring Market values into terms and they now have a business mindset which is hard to get out. They can no longer feel like they are out with a friend and having fun, which ruins the social mood, they are now applying market values. Since they cannot just accept gifts as they do require payment as a source of income they have found a way to keep the market values discussion to a minimum by using 3rd parties (agents) or using the advertisements to set rates on their behalf. Negotiation beyond an initial discussion will ensure that a market values mindset is in place and girls will feel like they are entering a business transaction which I cannot stress enough will for many not allow them to get the 'social/date' atmosphere back and they will not be able to enjoy their meeting. This is not about being professional or not, it's simply the way the majority of peoples minds work across all professions. This is an area of marketing that is studied and taught in Universities and Business Schools around the world and it's very effective in gaining our trust and getting our business. Understanding this is how we think and how we act goes a long way to explaining not only the SP industry but why we purchase the investments we do, why we select a certain Doctor, Bank, Insurance company (Like a good neighbour State Farm is there - an example of a social values marketing), etc. I would probably say that the opposite is true, it's a sign of professionalism for a girl to recognize that many clients apply social values to these situations and that avoiding a market value situation is important in ensuring a good call for a vast majority of clients. I have read many a review where the client posts that they felt uncomfortable that the topic of money was brought up, this is often because they unknowingly switched to a market value mindset and could not suspend the social values belief. A good friend would not have brought up the issue of money, it goes back to the scenario of counting out the money at the Mother-in-laws table, a good SP will recognize the difference and does not allow market values to enter the equation otherwise she risks putting her client in an awkward situation. Likewise clients that have a market values expectation of negotiating each detail should not book SP's that have social values and SP's that have market values should not seek clients that have social values, the two will not be able to engage each other and will feel terribly disconnected from each other. Studies show that most people once they apply market values to a situation they cannot return to social values. The majority of clients and ladies see it as a social environment and need to suspend the belief it is not a transaction so bringing market values into the transaction is not something that can be done. It is not about the persons abilty to negotiate, I know how to negotiate and have no difficulty doing that. It is about understanding marketing and social sciences. If you continue your research and learn more about the nuances of negotiation skills and the mindset behind it then perhaps you'll learn that there is a lot more than just the dollars and cents aspect. I'd suggest reading Predictably Irrational to start as that's the book I referenced most. In addition the MIT Opencourseware on Negotiation is an easy access if you don't have access to the certification programs at Shulich or Rotman. http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Sloan-School-of-Management/15-667Spring2001/Syllabus/index.htm

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2...stitution.html Sheriff sues as 'largest source' of prostitutionMarch 5, 2009 6:40 PM Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart announced today that his office has sued and has asked a federal judge to ban the Internet company from posting its "erotic services" section, which the sheriff said is a clearing house for prostitution. Dart also asked the judge to force the online classifieds company to reimburse the sheriff's department for the approximately $100,000 it has spent pursuing its investigation over the past year. Sheriff sues as 'largest source' of prostitution March 5, 2009 6:40 PM | 103 Comments | UPDATED STORY Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart announced today that his office has sued and has asked a federal judge to ban the Internet company from posting its "erotic services" section, which the sheriff said is a clearing house for prostitution. Dart also asked the judge to force the online classifieds company to reimburse the sheriff's department for the approximately $100,000 it has spent pursuing its investigation over the past year. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart announcing a lawsuit against . (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune) " is the single largest source of prostitution in the nation," Dart said. He added later, "I could make arrests off 24 hours a day, but to what end?" By filing the suit, he said, "I'm trying to go up the ladder." Dart said he had been working with representatives for months, sending letters requesting them to take down or provide greater self-policing of their "erotic services" section, but his pleas have been met with no response. The sheriff said he believes the company has been unresponsive because the "erotic services" section generates a large portion of the company's $80 million annual revenue. "They have crafted their site to accommodate people," the sheriff said. "None of the ads require any imagination. There's no mystery at all. We all know what's going on here." A 19-year-old woman, who was not identified, appeared at a press conference with the sheriff and said she was drawn into prostitution after she applied for modeling work through a different section of . "It started out as a photo shoot. That's not enough -- they don't want you to do just a photo shoot," she said. The woman said that undercover Cook County sheriff's police recently met with her at a hotel room in the south suburbs and she was subsequently arrested for prostitution. But she said authorities told her they could tell she had been a victim herself. "I thank God that the officers picked me up. This is something that will go on for life," she said. The woman said that even after her arrest, her photos are still being posted on the "erotic services" section. "Even after you get 'clean,'" she said, "they still have your photos and they can post them anywhere." The woman spoke calmly but her voice and hands shook at times. Among recent prostitution-related ads that the sheriff's office has monitored were one advertising "15 min $50 roses ... 1 hour $150 roses," and another saying a "busty blonde pregnant beauty" was available, according to the sheriff's office. Over the years, Dart's office has made dozens of arrests of people accused of using for prostitution. Last June, Cook County sheriff's police arrested 76 men and women on prostitution-related charges in a sting involving . Undercover officers posed as customers who made dates with women featured in "erotic services" ads on the site. Once an offer of sex for money was made, the woman was taken into custody, officials said. In December of 2007, four Chicago-area men were charged with using to run a prostitution ring that employed girls as young as 15. Dubbed Operation Quiet Money, the three-month investigation monitored advertisements on the Web site. In January of that year, the sheriff's office estimated that it had already busted nearly 75 women accused of selling sex on in the last 18 months. today denied that it knowingly facilitates prostitution. In an e-mail message to The Associated Press, spokeswoman Susan Best said the company has taken several steps to prevent the illegal use the site, works willingly with law enforcement and pulls inappropriate ads. -- Matt Walberg and the Associated Press

I've used Copycraigs in Toronto and they've been great. There are many reviews of the service on Terb in the Outcall section if you are a member there. They basically act like an EA, handle all of your arrangements and then you just go and check in when you need to. The fee is reasonable considering the reduced rates, at least in Toronto where often your getting a room at a hotel for $70 when the rack rate would be around $250. The advantage with Copycraigs is that you know the hotel you are booking at but your getting the Hotwire rates. Hope that helps!

Well I just wanted to say thanks for all the information. Its funny how the world works. I went to meet a woman to join an agency and now Im running it. I work on the business side of things. Helping the business grow, finding new recruites and doing market research. I love the fact that I am still involved in the business and yet I am making use of my education and learning more each day. I have to admit, I feel as though I am doing something so intruiging that thoroughly makes me happy and still I wear all my clothes. I would have to say though, the cherry on the cake would have to be I still make my fair share of profit thanks to my RMT certificate. I feel acomplished because what started out as me trying to be someone I am not for a simple thrill, turned out to be a very well paying job while sticking to my beliefs and giving zero happy endings. What some people plan to do, I actually did it. Again,I thank mod ane everyone els who welcomed me and gave me the information and advice I needed to make what I believe is one of the best decisions of my life

Thank you - flattery will get you everywhere. Now I got to go look at your profile and see this bum for myself. You know what they say today?s 40 is yesterdays 30. I am looking for one of those t- shirts that say life begins at 40. Actually what I usually tell people is my secret to looking young is that every year I gain weight and therefore this stretches the wrinkles out and keeps the skin smooth. lol? seriously what is 40 supposed to look like? Grey hair, false teeth and wrinkles? Not in this life time.

Rick we were hardly rude, just confused... it's tough sometimes, when you know exactly what your thinking of but putting it into words sometimes the message get's lost. If you choose to leave that's your decision, but really this site is as strong as you want to make it. You get what you put in, if you were to put a little more time into your posts or maybe even your searches you'd get the results you were looking for. There are a number of black SPs and MAs in the capital that would meet your requirements, a number of them members right here on CERB. Good luck no matter what your decission.

There are about 25% of people out there that have a need to negotiate it is in there very being. Take advantage of the situation and create an a la catre menu for those types, let them pick and chose and negotiate for a group rate, then after they have their fun recommend the Table de Hote all inclusive package, you will have taken all the fight out of them and they pay up. For many this is just a game, if you play back you will win because all the other ladies simply hit the ignore button. You can also turn the tables on these guys, ask them what they want to pay and what they expect and negotiate it backwards, "sure you can have a 200 session, it will be one of the best 30 mins of your life, when should I expect you?" But words like "NO, NEVER, NOT" will be mood killers for sure. Just my 2 cents worth.

While I agree negotiating is rude, I don't really consider it a "priviledge" (sic) to spend time with an escort and I think you sound overly arrogant. It's like saying it's a privilege to spend time with a hairdresser or doctor. As a service provider you are in fact in customer service. Frankly, you spend "intimate time" with people to pay your rent. There's no privilege involved in it just because you select your customers. And being in customer service, you're going to encounter a lot of sucky customers and potential customers. You just need to grin and bare it. Put a disclaimer on your website in bold about hanging up on negotiations and call it a day. What I find tacky and rude is complaining about it in a venue where potential clients may read it. There's a place and time for everything. And while I don't mean to sound bitchy, I'm really shocked to see a post like that from someone I see as classy.

I recently became associated with the group POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa/Gatineau Work Educate Resist) and I wanted to post their fact sheet regarding sex work. POWER?S 1 SEX WORK FACT SHEET: History of Prostitution in Ottawa Prostitution, escorts, dancers, and street sex workers have long been a part of life in Ottawa. Street sex workers, more specifically, have peacefully co-existed with the working class inhabitants of the Byward Market for over 150 years. Interests began competing more explicitly only in the early 1980s when, in a process of urban renewal, upwardly-mobile citizens began purchasing property in this centrally-located area. These new residents brought with them cultural, political and economic capital that allowed them to redefine the neighbourhood. Concerted efforts culminated in a number of initiatives that worked to the determent of sex workers and rendered them more vulnerable to violence. Among other things workers were displaced to dimly lit and sparsely inhabited areas as well as moving to new strolls in Vanier and Hintonburg. This also increased the level of violence experienced by street sex workers. Legal Context Although prostitution itself (the exchange of sexual services for financial compensation) is not illegal in Canada, the Canadian Criminal Code prohibits the public solicitation of business (?communicating?), the management and use of regular work sites (?bawdy houses), and any other managerial or partnered activity (?procuring?). Essentially, in order to work in the sex industry legally, one needs to work in complete isolation and silence. Sex workers are currently required to work under such circumstances if they wish to avoid arrest and incarceration. Needless to say, most workers are unable to meet these requirements. Unlike other cities such as Toronto and Montreal where the police attempt to foster open communication with sex workers and their organizations, the Ottawa Police Services has rejected this in favor of punitive reactionary initiatives. Most notably, a new nine-person unit focused on street crimes (including prostitution) was established on November 19, 2007 and to date and continues to target street based sex workers. Equally troubling is a problematic initiative whereby owners of vehicles that appear to be ?visiting neighbourhoods for solicitation? and are seen speaking to a ?known prostitute? receive a ?community safety letter? in the mail. Not only does this approach undermine worker safety but it raises serious concerns about civil liberties 1. One would think that a nine-person unit would increase the level of attention sex workers would receive when they, themselves, are victims of crime. However, the Ottawa Police Service has a dismal record when it comes to protecting sex workers or defending their rights. In a 2006 study 2, Ottawa street sex workers spoke of violence at the hands of police as well as a consistent failure of the police to attend to their victimization. Moreover the Ottawa Police Services are actively engaged in disseminating misinformation, such as the assertion that sex workers are responsible for the spread of STIs, including HIV.2 Falsehoods such as these feed police apathy about violence against sex workers. Our Canadian government has admitted to the need to reform prostitution law, and based on experiences all over Canada of police abuse of sex workers, its time to make a change and for Ottawa police not only to be accountable for their mistreatment of sex workers, but to stand in line for calls to repeal current legislative systems that abuse, disrespect, and deny sex workers? of their fundamental rights to freedom, dignity, and respect. Demands: More police protection and less police harassment of sex workers; Sex workers? access to health, social and legal services without discrimination; Government sponsored education campaigns to reduce stigma and resulting violence and discrimination against sex workers; Recourse and due process for sex workers who are victims of crime; Equal social, human, and labour rights as any other worker in Canada; True partnership and consultation with sex worker communities when it comes to policies that involve us; The removal of laws against prostitution that put sex workers in danger Sections 210-213 from the Canadian Criminal Code (inclusive). 10 MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SEX WORK Myth #1: Sex workers are responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and STIs Fact: All people who are sexually active can be vulnerable to HIV infection, depending on the precautions they may or may not take when they are engaging in sex. Most sex workers protect themselves against HIV infection at work, because they need to preserve their bodies so that they may continue to work. Sex workers have also, historically, been organizing around their rights to access to non-discriminatory healthcare and have been instrumental in ensuring sex workers? health and safety when on the job. Where HIV rates are high amongst sex workers in other countries, sex workers experience higher rates of police repression. Police repression and criminalization augment the risk for HIV infection. Myth #2: Sex work is illegal in Canada Fact: The exchange of sexual services for compensation, financial or otherwise, is not and has never been illegal in Canada. There are, however, laws against communicating for the purposes of prostitution (CCC. Section 213); working indoors (the bawdy house provisions (CCC. Section 210); and against working collectively (provisions against procuring and living off the avails of prostitution, CCC. Section 212). These laws effectively undermine workers? ability to work safely and securely (see why decriminalize, this handout). Myth #3 Sex workers are drug addicts Fact: As is the case with the Canadian population in general some sex workers use illicit substances; however, there is considerable variability by gender, industry sector, and region. The assertion that the majority of sex workers are drug addicts is not empirically substantiated. 3 Myth #4: Sex workers are women Fact: While the majority of the people working within the sex industry are women, all sex workers, including male, transsexual, and female sex workers are, in fact, criminalized. Female and male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals are at most risk of police repression due to their marginalization.