Craigslist Half-Heartedly Cracks Down On Prostitution
Posted by: Ami Angelowicz
Filed in:
sex
12:40PM, Tuesday August 11th 2009
Remember that Oscar winner who allegedly used Craigslist to lure women to his place so he could rape them? Or the Craigslist Killer? Or that man who advertised on Craigslist for someone to rape his wife? After all these horrendous incidents, Craigslist felt pressured to get rid of their “Erotic Services” section and replace it with a less blatantly prostitutiony “Adult Services” section. What’s happened since?
When they first made the switch back in May, we took a side-by-side look at some of the ads and determined that they were six of one, a half dozen of the other. Now that it’s been a few months, it seems like Craigslist is putting forth a halfhearted effort. Under its new policies, Craigslist’s staff monitors the adult ads and block those that include graphic images or seem to solicit prostitution. New adult listings cost $10 and re-posting is $5.
Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said the new adult category is for legal services only, including massages, exotic dancing, and escorts, and that any illegal activity is out of their control. “We are no more able to read the minds of people placing ads than are classifieds editors at newspapers and the Yellow Pages.” [San Francisco Chronicle]
Under the new system, shady posts seem to be getting more vague, and the people offering adult services are getting more creative and offering “good times” or “overnight companionship” rather than “sex.” A handful of crafty posters list their prices in “roses per hour,” code words often used in hooking. Others are migrating to the “Casual Encounters” or “Personals” sections, where postings are uncensored.
Does Craigslist really need to provide any kind of adult services, even legal ones?
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JennaS
wrote on August 11 2009 @ 11:44 am: [report]
I use SexSearch.com for hook ups. Much safer!
abcd
wrote on August 11 2009 @ 11:51 am: [report]
Why dont you just go out somewhere and meet someone? Are people too incompetent to speak to someone face to face and actually show what they really look like instead of putting a picture online that makes them look better than they really do?
sadie
wrote on August 11 2009 @ 12:47 pm: [report]
@Ash21 I am sure for some people that is not an option. What if you were severely disabled or horribly disfigured? You might not feel comfortable bellying up to the local bar to pick up a date. I am not saying everyone who patronizes those services has those issues, but it’s certainly one reason why someone might prefer to pay for sex.
QTGirl
wrote on August 11 2009 @ 01:53 pm: [report]
A college friend of mine uses Craigslist to advertise her services as a dominatrix. I am so scared for her. She realizes the dangers but the money is just too good.
Arsenic
wrote on August 11 2009 @ 02:13 pm: [report]
See, this is exactly why I think prostitution should be legal. It’s obvious people are going to do it no matter what, and wouldn’t it be better (and safer) for everyone if it was regulated?