Sex workers posing as masseuses are increasingly turning to social media to advertise their services in the open, while a community of men making use of them are using the same medium to share recommendations and reviews.
One such group on Facebook that has over 2,000 members advertises itself as a discussion forum for “men and women who like giving and receiving a relaxing massage”.
The group description states: “This is not a sex group so discretion is advised. Anything that happens between the client and the massage therapist is their own business.”
Discussion on the group is a mix of tips and reviews of which masseuses and establishments offer the best (largely sexual) services, and advertising from the masseuses themselves.
“Especially Kayla she give you both [a massage and sexual services],” one commenter wrote of a well-organised business in Ħamrun. “And I can tell ’cause I went and went and will go again. Money well spent.”
Adverts nearly all feature sexually suggestive images and text, with scantily clad women and promises of “sensual”, “erotic” massages in “clean and discreet” surroundings.
Some women post in their own name, while others form part of more sophisticated set-ups with dedicated premises, often with men posting on behalf of the female masseuses.
And I can tell ’cause I went and went and will go again. Money well spent
Many of these establishments supplement such posts with paid, targeted Facebook advertising, which appears on the newsfeeds of people who are not connected to any such massage groups or pages.
Posing as potential clients, the Times of Malta yesterday contacted several such masseuses using phone numbers advertised on the group. Of the women who could be reached, all of whom spoke Maltese, all but one said they offered sexual services along with a massage.
Two women, one in Tarxien and the other in Senglea, said they were available for “everything”. One of them quoted her price at €60; the other said she would only discuss the details in person.
Another masseuse, operating from Attard, stressed that she did not engage in sexual intercourse but offered a “body-to-body massage with something extra” at €50 for an hour. When asked for details, she said she could offer manual sex.
The woman who did not confirm she offered sexual services initially said she provided “extras” before saying she could give a “full body massage with everything” for €50. Like most of the other masseuses on the page, the woman advertises her services with suggestive and scantily clad images.
Prostitution itself is not illegal in Malta. However, brothels are illegal, and it is against the law to loiter or solicit for prostitution in any place exposed to the public.
The proliferation of supposed massage parlours acting as a front for sexual services has long been a problem for genuine masseuses, who are increasingly being inundated with sexual requests. Legitimate businesses have in the past reported installing emergency buttons if men become too demanding, or stopping bookings from men altogether.
Last week, Marcel Mizzi, vice president of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) said the situation had gotten out of hand and called for parlours offering sexual services to be regulated so as not to harm legitimate businesses.
“The truth is most of these small parlours advertise massage but are truly places where clients go for extras; they are in many respects whorehouses,” Mr Mizzi said.