Even though an encounter with an escort can be intimate, alluring, and passionate, it is also linked to many risks and dangers. How does the escort service industry work, and what is the best way to establish mutual protection for escorts and clients? What are some tips that will help you to avoid scams and stay safe? We’ll tackle all those questions and more in this detailed guide to escort services!
The Escort Service Industry
Escort services can provide an alluring and intimate encounter that may or may not involve sex. They can simulate a romantic experience between the escort and client but without the baggage of real-world relationships. Because of that, escorts are different from other sex workers such as prostitutes and dancers. Still, escort services make up a large part of the global sex industry.
It’s possible to hire an escort through agencies or by contacting one directly. In any case, escort work may be legal or illegal depending on a country’s laws and whether or not actual sex is involved.
As mentioned, sex work is not always the primary goal of escort services. A customer can book an escort for companionship, emotional support, or simply as a way to have a good time. However, if the escort and the client engage in paid sexual services (e.g., erotic massage or penetrative sex), the arrangement may be illegal. Compared to prostitutes, escorts provide high-end services for high-ranking clientele such as celebrities and politicians.
The Usual Terms of Service
Clients can also book escorts as a way to share an evening with someone who’s highly attractive yet usually unobtainable without financial compensation. That way, escorts can fulfill someone’s ideal fantasy. They can give them a sense of power and control. It’s possible to book female, transgender, and male escorts.
When it comes to sex, the activities will depend on the individual escort worker and their boundaries as well as the customer’s wishes. Generally, escorts can offer anything from regular sex to BDSM practices like domination or body worship. At any rate, both parties will have to follow a set of rules.
Typically, both parties will discuss and agree on the terms before their meeting. The rules can cover anything from the activities involved (i.e., dinner at a restaurant, a weekend getaway), to specific sexual acts. They will also include boundaries, payment, health precautions, the client’s behavior, and more.
In some cases, an escort agency may look into the client’s past or even seek references from other sex workers or agencies as a safety measure. All of that aims to create a strictly professional relationship between the customer and escort. Upon agreeing to the terms verbally, the client will pay for the services in advance.
What are 13 Key Traits of Strong Professional Relationships? Find out in this Success.com article.
What Are the Dangers Faced by Escorts?
Across the board, working as a sex escort is an activity that involves high risk and lots of dangers. That includes violence, exploitation, health risks, legal dangers, and more.
For instance, many clients could demand to get more than they have paid for by exploiting their escort. They could break the rules by seeking an escort’s contact details or going over their agreement. Some examples include customers who force their escort to perform additional sex services during their meeting. In the worst case, workers could face rape or assault.
That’s why workers constantly remind their clients that their arrangement is a fantasy. It’s possible that one may wish to break that fantasy and continue an intimate relationship with their escort. However, escorts could stay safe by working with an agency and not sharing any personal information or contact details. Still, many escorts tend to avoid agencies. They can take a large cut of their earnings (approx. 40% to 60%). If the meeting is arranged through an agency, customers have to leave a tip. Without a generous tip, the escort may not earn a sufficient amount for their services.
Additional Risks
When it comes to escort protection, it’s difficult to combat violence in the sex industry. To minimize risk, agencies will run thorough background checks on their clients. That way, they can see if the person has ever been blacklisted. If the customer doesn’t follow the procedure and doesn’t behave appropriately, any agency can place them on a blacklist. Essentially, the blacklist can give sex workers warnings about clients that have been involved in inappropriate activities in the past.
Additionally, escorts can’t always rely on support from the police. In places where escorting is illegal, escorts cannot contact the police after an incident. Also, sex workers could struggle while seeking legal assistance as well as public health care and social services.
What Are the Risks of Clients Who Hire Escorts?
Well, they can also face risks of being caught, scammed, or blackmailed. This is because many clients are wealthy, and they can be easily exploited.
The biggest risk here lies within fake escort agencies, ads, and various scams. This can pose a large financial risk. Some fake agencies operate online or through social media. When a customer contacts them, they could arrange a fake encounter with an upfront payment. Then, they can steal their banking information and empty their bank account. On the other hand, some fake agencies could simply take the customer’s money without delivering the escort at the arranged time.
However, fraudulent agencies are not the only risk. Clients can get drugged and robbed by the escorts themselves. In this instance, escorts could use common “date rape” drugs to knock out their date. Then, they could steal their money or credit cards and even empty out their bank account.
In the worst scenario, people who seek escort services could face blackmail and extortion. This usually happens with a rich or high-ranking client. The escorts could film the sexual acts or take photos to blackmail them later on. Typically, they could ask for money in return. They could demand frequent payments from the customer, and that could go on for years.
What’s more, escorts can make other demands that are not related to money. Some may ask a client to exert their influence and use it to benefit the escort. In any scenario, blackmail could seriously harm a client’s finances as well as their emotions and mental health.
Lastly, customers could also face violence from pimps or agencies. In this case, the customer could get beaten up and ordered to pay more than the agreed price.
How to Avoid Scams
The number of fake escort ads and sites is rising quickly, and it is easy to become a victim of fraud. Fortunately, there are some ways for clients to dodge fraudulent websites and find quality services without any safety issues.
Firstly, customers should book services using only reputable sites. It’s possible to find lists of agencies and escort websites online and see which ones are the most reputable. It’s also advisable to look into client opinions or even reviews. Additionally, you can use an escort directory site with ads from credible agencies. It’s also crucial to inspect the information and photos in the ads.
Sometimes, it can be easy to spot a fake ad or fraudulent agency if the photos are simply too polished. Plus, if the same ad is posted multiple times or if it just seems too good to be true for a cheap price, it’s probably better to skip it.
As stated earlier, escorts could be protected by security and even through client information sharing with their coworkers. A reputable agency will discuss the terms with you in advance, and the staff will communicate with you professionally. To stay safe, it’s best to avoid scrimping on money and looking for cheaper services.
However, even if the agency is reliable, it’s also worth it to pay attention to the escort during your encounter. For example, if you see any bruises or notice that the escort’s behavior is detached and unfocused, they may be forced into working. Also, if the escort appears intoxicated or asks you to use drugs, it may be best to leave or report them.
Summary
As you’ve seen in some of our examples, working as an escort is definitely not your typical day job. However, being a client is also not easy. Hopefully, we’ve shown you how to avoid scams, stay safe, and have an unforgettable experience! Good luck!