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AnnabelHell -> RE: how many of the pros get called a prostitute? (12/24/2007 2:51:48 PM)
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I posted something about this in another thread a few days ago. Here's the part about the legality of what we do, and the fact in most places Domination is still seen by many as prostitution.
If you'd like to read the rest of the essay it can be found here. http://www.collarchat.com/fb.asp?m=1490656
Pasted from the other thread ----->
Society may be more forward about entertainment and beginning to loosen up a little sexually, but our opinions of prostitution have not changed, and neither has the stigma of Domination being Prostitution in most places. This perception has been slow to change.
Nearly every website you go to of a legitimate Domina will say ‘Domination is not prostitution’ or something about sexual services not being offered. That’s because we all fight that stigma and for the right to do what we do without social and legal persecution. We are still persecuted and attached to the sex-trade. It isn’t that we have any issue with women who work in that industry, it’s that we see ourselves as offering a different kind of service that is legal at this time. Unfortunately, until the sex trade as a whole is legal where you live, as it stands right now you have to work VERY hard as a Professional Domina to separate yourself from being seen as a prostitute if you are legitimate.
Also, geographically, some places are more open than others. Not all of us can live in Southern California, or Europe where Fetish is more accepted. Many still live in very conservative communities where they have to be very careful about the business they do.
The simple answer is: YES, in most places, Professional Domination is legal.
BUT…
Anytime a Domina is starting her business she absolutely needs to research the laws in her area. They vary, and each place will define Professional Domination differently, and the laws that apply to it will be different. Most clients won’t really have thought about it, so it’s up to you as the Domina to know what’s OK and what is not and control the environment in which you provide your services so that both you and your client are as safe as possible. The more you do to protect yourself and your clients, the better.
For example, some places require a license, and some do not. Some places say skin-to-skin contact (like hand to bare bottom spanking) is illegal. Some places might say any physical contact is illegal. Others might say any “sexual” contact is illegal and you then have to define what that is.
It can be complicated, and even if you follow the law to a T you still may find yourself explaining to a judge how what you do is not soliciting, or having sex for money. The fact is if a community is trying to stamp out adult business in your area, it won’t matter much; chances are you will get some negative attention. You have to be informed, and do your best to comply with the standards and laws of the community you reside in.
The more social standards change, the more you will see the business practices of legitimate in person Dominant women changing. As it is safer for them to be who they are, and what they do is more accepted as a legal legitimate business they will be able to be more open and secure in the business they do. For now, the closet door is cracked.
<----- End paste.
Additionaly I think it depends on how you, and the community you are in defines Prostitution. I, personally, do not consider myself a prostitute and I don't consider legitimate Professional Domination to be prostitution.
I am happy to say neither does the law in my community. I recently had a very frightening experience with a client that ended with me having to seek help from the police. I was afraid of how I would be treated and if they would even help me, but I was very suprised. They actually had protocol in place for dealing with this kind of thing already, and they were extremely respectful to me through-out. No one ever made me feel like a prostitute or a sexual object and the focus was on if a crime had been commited, not on my sexual ethics or practices.
I was up front with them from the very beginning about being a Professional Dominatrix. No one even batted an eye-lash and they instantly went to work trying to help me. They treated me like a person, and talked to me like I was a human being. The officer who took my report told me she'd been to classes dealing with this very thing and their department had worked very hard to educate themselves. I was shocked, honestly. I don't live in a liberal city. I am in a conservative-midwest town where I fully expected to be persecuted or ignored for being a Pro. They not only helped me, they may have saved my life. As bad as it started out it actually turned out to be a positive and affirmative experience for me. I assume the laws in other areas are different and other people may not react the same way but I think socially we've become a lot more accepting of alternative lifestyles in the past few years.
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