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Maybe I missed this somewhere, but in this entire thread did anyone bring up feminism at all? So why would anyone think we're a bunch of "feminist prostitutes hating men and making a living off them"? And uh, I don't care who you studied that pyramid with, it very clearly states that "sex" is a physiological need. It may not say "sex for sale" but EVERYONE on earth requires sex and sexual intimacy, which is why prostitutes exist in the first place. So that any person, provided they are respectful, can get laid.

I am going to have to disagree with what is being said in this thread. Firstly I have never used CL to find SPs or MAs, but I realize a lot of people did use it, and even many of its detractors here admit that it was not all bad. The issue, as I see it, has nothing to do with economics and much more to do with the fact that it was shut down by government pressure to make a "statement" about sex work in general. They trotted out the same arguments they have been making in the Bradford case. For the most part they are lies and exaggerations designed to create moral outrage and win votes from the unthinking or unaware populace. They paint all sex-workers and the sex trade as seedy, overrun by lowlifes and criminals. Remembering the differences in US and Canadian prostitution laws, (it was easier to shut down in the US) they had to make the case that CL was overrun with exploited children, human traffickers, and the slave trade; and those that read it were using it to stalk and do harm to the sex-workers. That is outright BS, but it plays well with the Soccer-moms at home reading about it in the Globe. If anyone thinks that a stalker or someone who is meaning to do harm won't use newspaper ads, boards like this, or advertising sites like E-C or others to find a victim then you are mistaken. There maybe a bit more security, but not enough to stop someone who is determined to do evil. As for the Human trafficking angle, not all of those cases involve people being forced into sex-work. In fact I would wager there are a lot more people being exploited into sweat-shops, domestic work, and other low paying jobs than those forced into prostitution. I would say a much higher percentage. Why are they not being looked at by the government? Because it costs them votes in the various ethnic communities. For example, just look at the last two boatloads of people from Sri Lanka that landed on the west coast. From what I saw, there was a large number of men and families in that lot. Not a lot of people who could be exploited in the sex trade. Why are they not tackling that problem? Because it will cost them votes with various communities. In my opinion this is the government starting to fire back after having lost the court case in Ontario. They know they have a losing argument from a legal and ethical standpoint, but that they can win in the court of public opinion if they approach it right. To hell with the truth, lets exploit the public's fears. What worries me is that this is not the only step they will take. This was an easy one for them. I don't think I am being to far-fetched to say that the may start targeting boards like this and other forms of print and electronic media in the near future. They will make the presence of these boards known, and once again start to vilify and attack them. Watch the fear-mongering get worse folks. Sorry to be a "gloomy Gus" but I think any upside that people see in the demise of the CL erotic section, will be soon overshadowed by the fact that we in this world, (Providers, clients etc) are at war with the Government and the "morality-police", and that this is just the first very public shot. They won a victory folks, we didn't.

I frequently check out the "gigs-adult" of CL and the occasional sugar daddy websites, not really for work, but just because I find them interesting. I find several postings by men who are looking to pay for sex but they specifically write "I'm looking for non-pro women only." I understand the appeal of the "girl next door" or the innocent thing, but a lot of escorts I know can offer this! The vibe I get is that these men want to pay for sex, but they don't want to have sex with a working girl, seeing themselves as "above" that. It makes no sense to me to say "I want to buy sex, but not from someone who sells it." I also see the occasional woman posting "I'm not a prostitute and I wouldn't normally do this but....." as if they are somehow better than the rest of us. Let's face it, honey, if you're having sex for money, you're a sex worker just like the rest of us! You're not any better than us just because you're doing it *insert reason here*. I could be naive. Maybe this is just an SP who has a clever marketing scheme. This isn't really a vent, just an observation I made and wanted to point out to someone...... and that led me to CERB!

There are student here on cerb and on other paying sites...They work part time but don't call themself non-pro

I think the OP's original question was reasonable (well OK, the bit about the tats was a little off, but he did admit that later!). For me, it is reasonable to ask something, if you do it respectfully, and you accept the answer you get.

Yes I understand the trafficking issue needs to be addressed.. but this was defiantly not the way to go. These people don't only exist because of craigslist. They will find some other site and go more underground. They should of kept the Erotic section because at least "they" saw what was going on and they could investigate or arrest accordingly. What really sucks is that no site can make your phone ring like CL. The "hobbyist" is only a small percentage of "clients". CL made it easy for that guy who "don't usually" do this "kinda thing". He just broke up with his girlfriend kinda guys.. Will that guy be willing to go SEARCHING for an escort now.. Hopefully so. We get taken down in casual encounters the second it goes up.. no matter how discreet it is. All i wrote was email me for info, and 5 mins later Gone.. So Our best bet is therapeutic,but we can't post pics. Hopefully men will think to look there... All those stupid politian's must be patting themselves on the back... and NOTHING has been done to help the problem. Human traffickers,Child prostitution rings...

Unfortunately I have to disagree with above statement(not that I have a problem with CL closed). Many of the girls who used to advertise with CL do NOT know about cerb or heard about EC in order to come over especially the younger and newer ones. And yes plenty as you said worth a damn and some are great, it but I admit not all. Everytime I used to meet a lady from CL (and I have met plenty), I had to tell them about cerb and to my surprise, they were surprised that such board exists (I would say about 90% of them). I have come across many examples of this kind and the most recent being Jaymie who I had the pleasure yesterday (she had no idea whatsoever about cerb and at first even appeared scared until I showed her various parts of the board and the ad section), but I can give you a long list of girls. I wish there was a magic way that we could let know all those girls on CL about cerb and EC. May be improved or even aggressive marketing technics about free cerb and the EC site is the key (just a suggestion).

Loralee, you might want to re-read this thread and take back your comments. This is a site where we discuss sex in an open and frank manner, and more importantly we don't JUDGE others for expressing themselves, especially when it's done in a polite and civil manner. We are all adults here let's act like it and check the judgment at the door. If you re-read the thread you'll find that we are all in agreement that the sugar daddy, sugar baby posts on CL are contradictory and insulting to anyone involved in the sextrade be they proivder or client. Like Megan I like to read the other posts on craigslist to gain perspective and better understand differences and learn more about myself and others. I always got a kick out of the "generous" gentlemen seeking non pros, in the escort section!!! WTF there's like 100 ads of pros why post and ad seeking non pros in the pros section. The fact is most people are uncomfortable discussing the sex trade because it is unfamiliar to them and they don't understand it. Society has put such a stigma on the industry that it's difficult for many to accept that they are involved in one manner or another. Because of social stigmas many from the outside feel it's beneath them to pay or accept payment for sex. Craigslist gives us an interesting perspective on a different segment of life the rants and raves is always a fun read.

Many people can't discuss such things in their personal life, and CERB is the only place to do it. CERB is a fabulous community filled with open-minded, intelligent, and thoughtful people. I love being an active member of this board, generating discussion, and reading the views of others. I will not apologize for that!

why so much rant about sexwork???????????? Does anyone write about the veracity in the feelings of the guy who bakes pizza? this is a profession, the oldest in the world....you are in it or you are not. Enough of excuses for being in it or out of it. I am sick and tired of these topics, particularly in a website that sells sex. IS THERE NO OTHER ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT THAN GRUDGE ABOUT SEX WORK? YES, there is and many. Why in heavens do not we stop "listening to our writings"....yes, we love to read our thoughts...we are not superior or inferior...just a job....nobody is trying to invent the wheel here. Sex for sale is not part of the Maslow Pyramid , but is a need and we are here to sell it. PERIOD. This is turning to be a bunch of bull that no body interested in the "exchange" and "consideration" is really up to put up with. You want to vent about how good is to sell sex, well you blog about it and leave the rest alone. Keep your need in perspective. The persons who are interested in making a collateral and a "literature" issue out of their feelings for the freedom of prostitutes write books and sell them...all is money isn't it....? Check how many persons on cerb are involved in these subjects????? just always the same bunch. Please cut it off and go proselytizing some where else!!!!!!!!!This is not just my voice...I guarantee it!!!!!! loralee For God's sake change the subject. This is not a feminist site, it is a sex site!!! Loralee:ablow:

I've replied to a few of the guys posting in the casual encounters section on CL looking for "non-pros" and the majority are offering super cheap amounts--probably because they think that some naive student is going to think that 50 bucks is a lot of money.

I don't believe that anybody thinks that closing this site will end human trafficking however there is plenty of documented evidence that this site was a major contributor to the problem. In comparison I recently donated $50 to World Vision now I don't believe that my $50 dollars will end world hunger but I do believe every little helps. Yes the government but pressure on them to either clean up (moderate) or close the site clearly they took the easy way out. The problem with the site is clearly a lack of any moderation. There is a post here in Halifax that I have flaged/reported every day for the last 15 days and it has still not been remove. Here is a small ex cert from that post that is still up. "........... does coke and yes she is very tiny as well to the herpes i went down there bareback and nothing yet . also being uunder agedshe kinda looks young but that was all the more pleasure for me . the girl is good at what she does thats all that matters . working for that goof ........ who fucking cares your with the girl shes doing what you like you enjoy it whats the problemo dudes .?!??? " So they either are ignoring my flags or they think that this slime ball bragging about having unprotected intercourse with a underage escort who has a pimp is OK? Either way this is a perfect example of why and rightfully so IMHO that this site was shut down.

I am glad to see it go as well. When I came back to escorting last spring, I felt I had no choice but to use CL and I also felt I had to bow to the pressure of offering half hour appts which I had never done in the past. I don't mind them but I felt CL was a step down compared to where and how I used to advertise in previous years. I gave in and waited with baited breath to see the outcome. It wasn't as bad as I thought especially only working in the day time. Nevertheless, I did meet some very nice guys who used CL and have become regulars. They were not weirdos or drunks but I will not miss the incessant calls at 3 am from some intoxicated wassup type guy or the ones who would make fake appts, waste your time and call back 2 weeks later thinking I wouldn't remember them. Yeah right. The shutdown of CL will not stop human trafficking but it will help cut down on places for them to advertise. After having advertised with CL for so long, these outfits will not want to pay for more mainstream adult advertising. This will most likely result in a better prices/rates for SPs and eliminating the whole $80 services which will go back underground or back to the streets or on chat lines as they did in the past. While CL fared out well with the collapse of the U.S. economy as well as some rough times in Canada, I don't think professional SPs will have to compete with women offering half services or 15 minute appts. I predict this will all end. Sure, there may be another free or low rate classified site comparable to the design of CL but as Mod said, no one will make the mistakes Craig's List made. They set a precedent but as you can see many negative things such as a woman being murdered in the U.S. happened as a result of opening the erotic section. Had that section in general been moderated from day one, it could have had a different outcome and perhaps the Canadian Gov't may have not had it out for this site. I came from an SP era where there was no Craig's List so when I had to begin using it, it felt foreign to me and at times frightening. I used to advertise on E-C and another board in Toronto and that's what everyone else did as well. I think a lot of new SPs feel they can't live without CL but having gone without it for many years and then using it, I would rather see it gone. I always knew it never represented the ladies especially services providers who prided themselves on offering a good service and proper presentation to their clients. I felt the whole experience of making a date and seeing client was gone. There were no more emails from clients introducing themselves and gaining a better understanding of the SP through exchanged emails. Some CL clients even though they were clean and polite just wanted a quickie and they were gone. They may have come back weeks later or never again. It was a different way of doing business and I had to adjust to it. So now, the way I see it, is a new beginning for this industry and perhaps it will thrive. There will be alternate places for SPs to advertise and will definitely cut out the rif raff. No more 15 minute appts, no more tire kickers or weirdos who feel they can remain anonymous. I'm sure many SPs will advertise themselves differently as well on such sites as E-C as it does not have a cheap vibe to it. I know I am going to revert to how I used to advertise in previous years. I can recall when the Ottawa Sun announced that they were eliminating their escorting ads and everyone was freaking out. That's when the internet began to take off and Sun ads almost became useless and more expensive. Craig's List was just another venue to advertise on and it is not the be all end all. Prostituition is the oldest profession and I'm sure the clients will find the women and vice versa. Just give it some time and everything will fall into place. Hopefully for the better. Amen.

Personally... I could not be more happier to see it gone! It was making a bad rap for the whole industry. UN-Moderated ad sites like that are just a welcome invitation to crooks, scams, pimps, underage escorts, etc... Sure lots of good ladies were on craigslist as well hidden within the mess of bait and switch ads and scams but it needed to go and I am very happy to see it gone myself. Before CL people used sites like Escorts Canada Lyla.com and Red Zone (The original canadian escort sites who have been here through thick and thin since the beginning!) craigslist was taking a HUGE chunk of the traffic that these other sites deserve to have. These are credible paid advertising sites (and moderated to ensure as few bait and switch, scammers, underage, etc... Keeping off most of the Bad People for this industry) Down with CL! CL was just KILLING this industry from the inside out! Good day for me as it probably means I will still have a job in 5 years and the future of escorts advertising online in Canada looks a little brighter for out industry! Craigslist was counterproductive! All the years we have spent online trying to give our industry a POSITIVE look and to break the stereotypes and CL was single handedly killing it for us! Giving the scammers a safe haven! I could not be more happy!! Anyone who values the industry and enjoys the more positive image the media has recently taken of prostitution in Canada should raise a glass and give a cheer on this day! The only problem now is the scammers now have a taste of what online advertising can do so my job may be more secure but they will be looking for other places to go for sure. Thankfully no other site with that kind of traffic and power in the world allows people to advertise for free and not moderated!! and after all this... no one will ever build a site like that again as we all know what will happen so it would be a very bad investment!

Hello Namssa,I work at a Canadian Bank, I suggest you to go to your local equfax agency to loge a Fraud alert message, which means, you will provide equfax a phone # on file. Anyone who attempt to do any type of borrowing under your name you will be notified.

My Christmas wish list! The biggest thing I have asked for this year is for people to donate some time to learn a little about Autism. It is possible to help a young child have a better quality of life if they get the help needed in the first 5 years of life. Please take the time learn the early signs and be proactive and get them the help they need. You might even have a friend that has a child with autism but do not know it. The best thing you can do for that friend is to blunt and come out and tell them. Lots of people are in denial and just say he is a late bloomer. This is the worst thing they can do for their child. Early intervention is key, a human brain develops the most in the first 5 years and Autism impedes the development causing different parts of the brain top develop outside of society’s “Standards”. Unfortunately the health care system does not recognize Autism to be a medical problem and will not help the young child until they are in a regular school. By that time the brain has developed and may not be reversible. Not all cases of Autism can be cured, but many of them can be helped at achieving a better quality of life. Be Proactive and not reactive like the government, please donate some time to read up on this matter, and help a family that is affected with this condition. Even if you can take the time to learn the routine of a child that you know, so that you can give the parents one night to go out or a night off, it could be the best gift you give the parents for Christmas. While you are with that child, you will see how much work is to have a child with special needs and might be shocked to see how intelligent they are, I know that I am amazed every day. Apex