Latest news with #sexwork
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a brothel manager and I've seen the craziest things – a mother and daughter working together is just the start
IF you've ever wondered what really goes on inside a brothel, we've got just the thing. Here, Catherine De Noir, 31, who is manager of one of Europe 's biggest legal brothels, has given an insight into what actually happens in the world of legalised sex work. 4 4 4 As a result of her job, Catherine, who has an academic background in organisational psychology, has 'seen it all.' But in a recent clip posted on social media, the blonde got candid on the 'craziest things' she has witnessed as a legal brothel manager. Catherine has worked in the industry for nine years and has handled everything from diverse fantasies to famous celebrities. She even once spotted a very well-known politician walk through the brothel's door. Not only this, but she's also seen family members working together and has even witnessed some very bizarre role play too. In a short video shared online, Catherine revealed the four situations that left her totally stunned. She revealed: 'The husband of one of the women found out she worked there and started coming in as her client.' Not only this, but Catherine, who has seen numerous married men cheat on their wives, then got candid on a bizarre role play experience that left her lost for words. 'A customer paid to play the role of a plumber and spent the entire session fixing a bathtub and toilet," she continued. As well as this, she simply claimed: 'A mother and daughter working together.' World's First Cyber Brothel Finally, the brothel manager, who warned that the busiest times for married men to visit brothels are between 3pm and 5pm, gasped: 'One of the women set a room on fire during a session with a customer.' Social media users react Catherine's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 141,600 views, 3,121 likes and 20 comments. Social media users were stunned by Catherine's claims and many flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. One person said: 'Lol the first one got me. The others I can understand.' Are brothels legal in the UK? There has been a growing debate in the UK about whether brothels should be legalised, following the emergence of pop-up brothels across the country. These temporary establishments, often set up in residential areas, have sparked concerns among local communities and law enforcement agencies. The current legal framework in the UK criminalises the operation of brothels, but individual sex work is permitted. This has led to a complex and often problematic situation for those involved in the industry. Advocates for legalising brothels argue that regulation could improve safety and working conditions for sex workers. By bringing the industry out of the shadows, they believe that sex workers would have better access to health services and legal protection, reducing the risks of exploitation and violence. Furthermore, regulated brothels could be subject to health and safety standards, ensuring a safer environment for both workers and clients. On the other hand, opponents of legalisation worry that it could lead to an increase in human trafficking and exploitation. They argue that normalising the sex industry might encourage more people to become involved in it, both as workers and clients. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact on local communities, with fears that legalised brothels could lead to an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour in residential areas. As the debate continues, it is clear that there are no easy answers. Balancing the rights and safety of sex workers with the concerns of local communities and broader societal impacts remains a complex challenge. Policymakers will need to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of legalising brothels in the UK, taking into account the experiences of other countries that have taken similar steps. Another added: 'Omg so much goes on.' A third commented: 'Instant follow. I wanna work for you!'
National Post
5 days ago
- National Post
Supreme Court of Canada dismisses constitutional challenge of sex-work law
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a constitutional challenge of the criminal law on sex work, upholding the convictions of two men who argued its provisions are overly broad. Article content Mikhail Kloubakov and Hicham Moustaine were convicted of criminal offences in an Alberta court as a result of their employment in 2018 as paid drivers for an escort business. Article content Article content The men successfully contested the criminal provisions in question on the constitutional grounds that they deprive sex workers of the right to security. Article content Article content A judge found the provisions were too broad because they apply to people receiving a material benefit from sex work who may otherwise support the safety of sex workers. Article content Article content
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Supreme Court of Canada dismisses constitutional challenge of sex-work law
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCOC) on the banks of the Ottawa River is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, June 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a constitutional challenge of the criminal law on sex work, upholding the convictions of two men who argued its provisions are overly broad. Mikhail Kloubakov and Hicham Moustaine were convicted of criminal offences in an Alberta court as a result of their employment in 2018 as paid drivers for an escort business. The men successfully contested the criminal provisions in question on the constitutional grounds that they deprive sex workers of the right to security. A judge found the provisions were too broad because they apply to people receiving a material benefit from sex work who may otherwise support the safety of sex workers. The Crown appealed, arguing the trial judge mistakenly concluded that the provisions violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Alberta Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, entered convictions against Kloubakov and Moustaine and referred the matter for sentencing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
News.com.au
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie ‘madam' reveals what really happens inside a brothel
'When the panic button was pressed, I had to step in.' You might expect to hear this from a security guard in a bank or prison. But this is a day in the life of a Melbourne brothel madam. Historically, the world's oldest profession has been run by women. Australia has a rich history of madams tracing back to the era of powerful female monarchs like Matilda 'Tilly' Devine. That's because women are often better placed to navigate the sensitive balance between the needs of their workers and clients. But few are cut out for it. From humiliation kinks to bikies and high-powered clients, Krystal Galtry has seen it all. Now, the glamorous OnlyFans creator is lifting a lid on her glory days working in the legal sex trade. Spoiler alert: there was never a dull night. Because wherever you stand morally on the issue of prostitution, who isn't curious to see what really goes on inside a brothel? 'In the deep end' For Krystal, it all kicked off during the pandemic. Like many others, she found herself out of work when the world stopped spinning. One night, she met an events promoter with a misty offer for cash-in-hand work. 'He gave nothing away,' she told 'Just, 'wear black and look presentable'.' Only on arriving did Krystal's new job sink in: she'd been hired as a brothel door girl (she was later promoted to madam). There wasn't a wealth of onboarding. 'With only a brief rundown of what to do, I was thrown in the deep end.' Night in the life Krystal's shift would start by greeting clients and ushering them into the intro booth. Before workers come in, they can identify clients via a security camera. This ensures it's not someone they know or wouldn't feel comfortable having sex with. Next, Krystal prompted the workers when it was time to file in one by one and introduce themselves. Before a decision was made by the client, Krystal would sometimes negotiate what services were on and off the table – and for how long. 'At first, I wondered: why are they talking to me about this? Then I learned they're more comfortable arranging it through me.' Krystal would then collect payment from the client and assign them a room. In brothels, workers pocket a percentage of their earnings, with the remainder going to the business. Next, she notified the worker and supplied the tools of the trade. Krystal was then responsible for keeping track of who was in what room and for how long. Or if they needed a hand getting out. Panic button That's when workers could use the infamous panic button to alert her when they need help. This was her time to literally step in (the doors were never locked). 'The button is for when clients broke the house rules,' she says. 'They might try things like removing condoms without consent, which is sexual assault. Or they might try services that weren't negotiated or paid for in advance.' At that point, Krystal would step in to 'end the session'. But what if they didn't get the message? 'I'd call the other girls in. No security guard is as intimidating as a bunch of fired-up sex workers.' Despite evoking a Wild West impression, Krystal said she never felt unsafe on the job. And she made the safety of her workers a top priority. 'Brothels are full of strong, supportive women who look out for each other,' she said. If anything, it was the uncouth clients who ended up feeling spooked by her. 'And I've always been a bit intimidating. If someone acted up, I had no issue giving it right back.' 'That's what makes me a good fit for the role.' 'Collars and leashes' Krystal said there are many presumptions about the sort of people who frequent brothels, and most of them are wrong. She saw many high-powered figures coming and going. And whatever their sexual fetish or fantasy, she catered for it. 'Many were married, wealthy and into submission,' Krystal says. 'When you spend that much of your life in a position of control, what entices you most is letting go it.' Krystal says these clients often wanted to fulfil humiliation fantasises – including blackmail roleplay. The more strange, sadistic, and ridiculous things got, the more fascinated she became. 'It's all about power. The client wants to be dominated and made to feel completely out of control. Clients would provide embarrassing photos or a wife's phone number. The dominatrix would use this threat of exposure to get them off. 'This provides a real sense of risk and submission,' she explained. These businessmen would get changed into dresses, collars and leashes, sometimes asking her to lead them around on it like a dog. One client even asked to have a worker rub Deep Heat on his genitals. But ultimately, Kystal believes what they were searching for is human connection. 'Sex workers offer something incredibly valuable: non-judgmental intimacy,' she said. 'Not everyone is able to find love or connection in traditional ways.' Krystal says for some clients, brothels are the only hope of human connection. 'It can bring the emotional and physical closeness they were missing — without strings like the social pressure of dating.' She says other clients enjoy the transparency. 'The exchange is clear: both people understand it'. Criminal underworld Despite the sexual nature of the experience, the legal sex industry in Australia is heavily regulated. All brothels must be licensed, registered, and granted council planning approval. They face fines and closure if they don't carefully follow a strict set of rules. To enforce these rules, officers from the health department and the council often make unannounced visits. Ironically, brothels also intersect with the criminal underworld. The shadow of outlaw bikie clubs has long hung heavy over the industry. Krystal said this legacy lives on today. 'There's still some level of criminal crossover. While nothing overtly illegal happened in front of us, you'd see men come in and out who were clearly affiliated with bikie gangs,' she said. 'With time, it was another side to the job that became normal to workers. 'It wasn't something we engaged with or questioned. The connection to the criminal world just hovered in the background.' Dirty laundry Of course, it wasn't all peaches and cream. Like any job, being a madam has its tough slogs – like doing the laundry at the end of the night. 'I'll be honest: that was the worst part!' Krystal also said it was challenging being exposed to vulnerable workers. 'One of the hardest parts is dealing with workers who come into the industry for the wrong reasons. They're often struggling mentally or emotionally,' she revealed. 'They usually don't last long, but while they're there, it can be tough watching them try to cope.' Despite these challenges, she says it was an overwhelmingly positive culture. She added that perceptions of the industry as seedy and misogynistic are misunderstood. Despite the stigma, it's a profession that most women pursue by choice. And she no longer feels ashamed of or embarrassed about her time as a madam. 'At first, I was nervous about people's reactions, so I kept it private. But now I say it proudly,' she said. 'People assume we're only in it for the money. We're all drug-addicted. We only do it because we have no other options. 'The truth? Many of us do it because we love our bodies and their power to create a safe, accepting space where people can feel seen, cared for, and understood. 'Most women in this industry genuinely love their work. The sex industry can be incredibly empowering,' Krystal added. 'Personally, it brought back my confidence.' While Krystal has swerved into a successful career as an OnlyFans creator, she says she wouldn't have gotten where she is without being a madam. 'It opened my eyes to the world of kink and eventually led me to incorporate similar services into my online service,' she said. 'This industry has done so much for me, it deserves credit.'. Ultimately, Krystal is adamant of one thing: despite the ugly stereotypes, brothels are a place of beauty.
The Guardian
20-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
I used to be an escort, and a former client wants to be friends. What should I do?
Until four years ago, I was a sex worker – specifically, a high-end escort. In my experience, when clients treat you with respect and understand the boundaries, it's possible to form a relationship not unlike that between a therapist and a client. One client I was particularly fond of was a man a few years older than me. He is on the autism spectrum, which makes him somewhat socially awkward, but he is intelligent, creative and empathetic – and passably handsome. I always felt he would make a wonderful partner for a woman who could see past his quirks. Last week, I ran into him at the library. The first thing he said was he'd understand if I didn't want to talk – but I was actually glad to see him. We spent about 15 minutes chatting pleasantly, and when we parted he asked if I'd consider meeting up as friends. I took his number and said I'd think about it. I'm pretty sure he's hoping for more than just friendship, but if my sense of him is accurate, he'd accept a 'no' gracefully and respect my privacy. The problem is I'm unsure what to do. Had we met under different circumstances, I might well have considered dating him, and I would definitely like him as a friend. I'm aware of the stigma directed at men who see escorts, but he doesn't fit any negative stereotype. Even so, the fact he's tied to a chapter of my life I've moved on from leaves me conflicted. I don't know if reconnecting would add something positive to my life – or blur boundaries I've worked hard to establish and maintain. I think the fact you're writing to me shows you do want to consider it, but are aware there may be some pitfalls. In some ways you're front-loading the issues you would have – because you already know something of each other's past – more than if you met someone the more conventional way. I consulted clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr Stephen Blumenthal, who has worked with people who visit sex workers. He wonders if this might be less a case of 'wanting a relationship, but rather exploring your boundaries in relation to your previous work and the life you have now'. You said in another message that you had hitherto kept your past work private. Perhaps you now feel ready to merge your past and your present/future, and by allowing this man from your past to possibly be a friend, you can see if this will work for you. Dr Blumenthal explains that he's known 'situations where men have formed relationships with sex workers. Some have succeeded and some have ended in disaster. It's impossible to know how things will turn out, there's no predetermined outcome. And yes, most people assume the relationship between sex worker and client is just about sex, but I've heard many a time it's less about sex and often primarily an emotional relationship that has sex as part of it. It's not always like that, of course, but it can be.' I think you have to be honest (as with all potential relationships) about what you want from this man, and if that's possible. You've been very good at boundaries before, this will need a different set of boundaries and they may need renegotiating, both at the beginning and at various other times as things change – if either a friendship or a relationship blossoms. 'The important thing,' says Dr Blumenthal, 'is to be fully cognisant of where the original relationship came from. A lot of sex work is about an illusion – that the client is the only one, that maybe they're loved by the sex worker. Here, exposing the relationship to the outside world may be problematic if you deny where it's stemmed from.' All relationships, whether platonic or romantic, start with a bit of illusion and projection, and what makes them succeed is communication, with the other person but also with oneself. That communication may allow the relationship to grow, or founder. You seem grounded and have established boundaries. If you feel safe with this man then it may not be a bad idea to meet him again in a public place and see if you can develop a new way of being together. Every week, Annalisa Barbieri addresses a personal problem sent in by a reader. If you would like advice from Annalisa, please send your problem to Annalisa regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Submissions are subject to our terms and conditions. The latest series of Annalisa's podcast is available here.
