Ann Wason Moore opinion: Gold Coasters report getting more than they bargained for at massages – but there’s a way to avoid the problem

From staff dressed in school uniforms to the ‘women’s special’, Gold Coast residents looking for regular messages are getting more than they bargained for.

Come again?

With Queensland officially decriminalising the sex industry last August, it appears happy endings are now legally allowed at massage parlours … but it’s creating real confusion for customers.

Indeed, one Gold Coast man said he booked a massage for a sore shoulder but left still stiff after some serious tension over which muscle was being pulled.

Writing on social media, he stated: “I called prior to making a booking and spoke about my shoulder and the type of pain, they seemed legit.

“I did get a massage and left my pants on because I was only in for my shoulder … when she told me to roll over and grabbed me on the dong I declined.

“(Maybe) I should have known better but I didn’t want to assume all Thai massages are ‘special’ massages.

“The (shoulder) massage was s**t and I walked out worse than when I went in.”

Under the Criminal Code (Decriminalising Sex Work) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, passed by Queensland Parliament on May 2, 2024 and commenced on August 2, a legal framework was established to provide a safe, decriminalised sex work industry in the state to improve the health, safety, rights and legal protections for sex workers.

The Amendment Act, based on findings of the Queensland Law Reform Commission’s sex work industry review, repealed existing criminal offences relating to sex work, removed the requirement for brothels to be licensed, created new offences for the protection of sex workers and children, strengthened the protection of all sex workers from unfair discrimination and prevents local governments from making local laws specifically about the regulation of sex work.

Many people report getting more than they bargained for at massages.

While these changes are great for sex workers and have been widely welcomed, it seems we might need a little bit more public education for customers.

Because according to the Gold Coast subreddit, many others have found themselves in the same sticky situation as old mate.

And it’s not just men.

“Similar thing happened to me. Was so excited for my massage, different women were coming in and telling me that I was sexy (I’m female), then one asked me if I would like the ‘women’s special’. I just wanted a massage.”

Said another:

“Happened to me once … I couldn’t understand why at reception she was saying only 30 minute appointments are available, which became evident at the end of my massage when they asked if I would like anything else.”

And lastly:

“This is amusing but actually annoying when you want a massage. I booked one once but left when I walked in and the girls were wearing knee-high boots and school uniforms. All good if that’s what you’re into, but it doesn’t help me after Tough Mudder.”

A Gold Coast sex worker, who also works for health promotion charity Respect Inc, said she had encountered a handful of confused customers herself – although some just pretended to be surprised.

“Offering happy endings is now legal but not every massage parlour will tell you when you book or even if you ask, but what happens in the room is between the worker and the client,” she said.

“However, there is to be no touching without consent – and that applies to both parties.

“Most workers will also be qualified masseuses so you should be able to get a good massage without the happy ending if that’s what you prefer.”

And if all of this has you feeling extra tense, don’t worry – help is at hand.

The Respect Inc worker said any massage business which offered HICAPS (Health Industry Claims and Payments Service which processes private health rebates) was highly unlikely to be offering sex services.

And our friendly Redditors said there were plenty of contextual clues for those in the know, including that opting for a massage within a major shopping centre was usually a safe bet.

“If there is just one price advertised, if the workers are wearing attire that does not seem suitable for massage, if there are closed rooms and not open areas, generally if there is a bright flashing OPEN sign out front … it’s not your standard therapeutic massage, rather therapy of a different kind.”

Now that everything is on the table when it comes to a massage, just keep your pants on … and buyer beware.

Originally published as Ann Wason Moore opinion: Gold Coasters report getting more than they bargained for at massages – but there’s a way to avoid the problem