Cairns massage therapists say they are victims of constant sexual harassment
A massage therapist has claimed the proliferation of brothels masquerading as “massage centres” in the Cairns region has made her job more dangerous. Now she’s speaking out.
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A massage therapist has claimed the proliferation of brothels masquerading as “massage centres” in the Cairns region has made her job more dangerous.
“We get phone calls constantly asking, everyday – do you do extra? Today already one call at 1pm and they are so rude about it,” Durunrat Chansopha explained.
Ms Chansopha runs Pha Thai Cairns.
She has grown tired of the growing number of men coming in to ask her if she will do sex work along with her massage.
“It’s because of all these massage parlours offering sexy massages,” she said.
“I lock my door in the day so men can’t just walk right in and ask for it.”
The problem has become so widespread that Massage and Myotherapy Australia has called on the Queensland Government to ensure “decriminalisation protects the rights and safety of massage therapists and the community”.
Massage and Myotherapy Australia CEO Ann Davey said: ‘The proposed decriminalisation of sex work in Queensland must include measures to ensure sex work cannot be misrepresented as a massage service if the many serious consequences for massage therapists are to be addressed.”
“Without additional reforms to protect legitimate massage therapists, and prevent massage being used as a camouflage for the human traffickers, the sex trade and its customers, decriminalisation will fail the massage sector and the community,” Ms Davey said.
Respondents to a Pulse Survey last year, conducted by Massage and Myotherapy Australia which has over 8600 members, indicated that some professional massage therapists experience sexual harassment from clients in their workplace daily.
Fifty-six per cent indicated they were subject to sexual harassment from clients and 74 per cent of respondents indicated they must regularly take steps to protect themselves and their staff from sexual harassment.
Ms Chansopha has put a sign in her shop that says “No Happy Endings”, but she says it doesn’t stop the harassment.
“I cannot have another girl working here. It’s only me, because I don’t trust what might happen to her.
Ms Davey also said she was concerned about sexual trafficking and whether “the proposed decriminalisation of sex work will protect migrant women from exploitation or address the confusion between sex work promoted as massage and health-related massage therapy”.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies says that Australia “is a destination country for victims of trafficking” and “the majority are women trafficked into debt-bonded prostitution.”
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Originally published as Cairns massage therapists say they are victims of constant sexual harassment
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