Thoughts From a Former Craigslist Sex Worker

[Tars]

Seems to me that pay-for-sex is very similar to drug use - prohibition isn't the answer. If people want to have sex right now, and are willing to pay the money and associated risks for it, making it illegal doesn't work. Here are a couple of opinions about it.

Seems to me this Ms Petro makes some good points. Full article below.

I also read in another opinion piece that.

Craig's Blacklist, Ctd

"[Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal] ignores both the law's role in fostering coercion and violence by driving [prostitution] underground and the protection that services like Craigslist can provide by allowing prostitutes to screen customers and avoid walking the streets. But to fully appreciate the audacity of his charge that money blinded Craigslist to the suffering of sex slaves, note that the company started charging for adult service ads in 2008 at the behest of law enforcement officials. The idea was that fees would thin the section, while requiring a credit card and a valid phone number would deter criminal activity.

Craigslist also hired dozens of lawyers to screen ads for compliance with the company's terms of use, which prohibit "offer or solicitation of illegal prostitution." Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster reports that "more than 700,000 ads were rejected by those attorneys in the year following implementation of manual screening" in May 2009, while Village Voice Media’s Backpage.com (where the ads are far more explicit) saw a big increase in business."


The following article was Posted on the Huffington Post by

Melissa Petro, who describes herself as, "Former sex worker, researcher, writer, educator, and feminist"

Complete article:

Thoughts From a Former Craigslist Sex Worker


"People -- not just prostitutes -- have sex for many reasons. Sometimes, for some of us, one reason is money.

From October 2006 to January 2007 I accepted money in exchange for sexual services I provided to men I met online in what was then called the "erotic services" section of Craigslist.org. No more a "professional" than a person renting a room on the same site is necessarily a professional real estate broker, for me and other women and men like myself, Craigslist at that time provided a simple, familiar forum through which I could do my business with complete anonymity, from the safety and convenience of my own home. At Craigslist.org, I was able to bill myself as exactly what I was at the time: a graduate student, bored and curious, sexually uninhibited, looking to make a little money while having a little fun. I wrote my own ads, screened my own prospective dates, decided on my own what I would and would not do for money, and -- best of all -- I kept every penny I earned, all without the interference of an agency or other ubiquitous "middle man."

Ultimately, while my experience as a "non-pro" was not the "fun" I had come looking for -- I found the lifestyle physically demanding, emotionally taxing and spiritually bankrupting, and so I made a decision to desist some months after I'd gotten started, exiting the industry just as freely as I'd entered -- never have I felt it was the state's obligation -- nor its right, in fact -- to protect me from the decisions I made.

On Thursday, September 4th, cowing to ongoing criticism from attorney generals and advocacy groups, Craigslist shut down what had come to be called its "adult services" section, replacing the link with a black and white bar that reads "censored." This, after years of Craigslist founder Craig Newmark fighting such pressure, is a disappointing display of him abandoning the very principles of freedom on which his site was founded and feels more a violation than ever I experienced on even my worst "dates." Opponents to the "adult services" section claimed that its existence facilitated with greater ease the trafficking and exploitation of women and children, and while I do not doubt such exploitation exists, it is my supposition that most women who are found out by the authorities to sell sex would rather be labeled a "victim" (and so entitled to protection) than to be considered a criminal (to be prosecuted and exposed).

For all the "victims" of the "adult services" section of Craigslist.org, I would venture there are a considerable number of individuals like myself -- free thinking, entrepreneurial human beings with choices and responsibilities -- whose real-life experiences, not to mention sources of income -- are being stifled by our so-called advocates.

It has been some years since the last time I met a stranger through Craigslist for reasons other than to buy or sell a piece of furniture. I hope to never again make the choice to trade sex for cash even as I risk my current job and social standing to speak out for an individual's right to do so. The simple fact is that people do have sex for money -- many different kinds of people for many different reasons, people as varied as those looking to buy concert tickets, sell a collectible or adopt a pet -- and these people will continue to. Whether the choice to do so is being dignified and protected with its own forum or whether what was once that safe space remains appropriately labeled "censored," that choice, without a court order one way or another, remains up to Newmark."

[Peace Voyager]

Hey folks,

Back in the mid 1990's I was very involved in the birth of the World Wide Web. Craig Newmark and I became friends through our co-creation of the Creativity Cafe in the SF bay area. I was on "Craig's list" when it was just his personal newsletter, not a portal.

This posting on our local 'craigslist" Wacco, gave me an opportunity to share something both very painful, as well as, a possible venue for healing.

I welcome your comforting ideas.

Thank you,

Colleen Fernald

>Hi Craig,

Hope you're getting through things well.

How's the suit with EBay going? I've been talking with Jerry Brown's Attorney General office, and campaign as well. I'm wondering what you know which would be good for them to know too. And who is getting your vote?

As an someone very experienced in marketing; I have an important idea I'd like to share with you which could do wonders for your brand's image. Here is a starting point: peaceoneday.org .

Remember how exciting it was to be on the forefront of tech for human advancement through the Creativity Cafe? Our country and the rest of the world are starving for that now. I have a plan; I'm seeking select partners.

In a more than ironic vein, I was raped last October, days before my birthday by my ex husband. I've had a hard time getting law enforcement to do their job, bringing even more pain to the situation. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This blends in with my idea to bring positive light to craigslist. I want to see how your org can be used to help me and others heal in a creative way.

https://dvam.vawnet.org/calendar/index.php

My ex would frequent prostitutes too; I agree with others in that craigslist could be an effective tool for law enforcement. I would like to better understand the difference of "sexual healers" and prostitutes.

Ever get out to Sonoma County? My art will be part of the Art of Peace event this Sunday from noon to 7 at the Sebastopol Community Center.

Also would still like to understand the mystery posting from before.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes,

Colleen


FYI From Waccobb.net; our local "craigslist"

WaccoReader: Thoughts From a Former Craigslist Sex Worker