Internet prostitution

The internet has become one of the preferred methods of communication for prostitution, as clients and prostitutes are less vulnerable to arrest or assault and for its convenience.

Prior to about the year 2000, most off-street prostitution was advertised in the small ads in the printed press or locally on cards in newsagents or shop windows. As direct references to prostitution would not be acceptable, the ads were carefully worded with terms such as large chest for sale. In larger cities, tart cards were placed in phone boxes.

By the year 2000, the internet, and access to it had grown large enough for some in the sex industry to see it as a marketing tool. As use of the internet has grown, so has the use of it by the sex industry.

In 2007 Harriet Harman, then Minister for Women, put pressure on the Newspaper Society not carry sex ads. As a result, the Newspaper Society updated its guidelines for members in 2008 effectively banning sex ads. As the majority of local newspapers are members, this ban added to the swing towards the internet.

Mobile devices such as smartphones have further increased the use of the internet both generally and for prostitution websites.

There has been a rise in the number of escort/prostitution listing websites, that advertise for both independent and agency escorts. Some are free, while others charge to add a listing. Others are free for a basic listing but charge for some additional features. A notable example is the website The Erotic Review and ECCIE.net

Forums were amongst the first sites to be used by escorts. With the rise of other social media, their use has declined.

It has become simple and easy for independent escorts to create a personal website for the purposes of advertising their prostitution services

A number of sites have a section where clients can leave reviews for escorts. Some outside the industry regard this as degrading to the escort; however, most involved in the industry do not share this view.

Punternet was originally the foremost review site despite adverse publicity from Harriet Harman and Vera Baird (see below). In recent years, Adultwork has had a larger number of reviews posted.

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Wikipedia