Sex workers look to online content to make ends meet during coronavirus outbreak
Melbourne’s sex workers are struggling in the midst of coronavirus, as punters steer clear and clubs and brothels announce they will only let a handful of girls work. So they’ve turned creative in their bid to keep earning.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sex workers have been left in the lurch following the coronavirus social distancing measures, with many Melbourne strip clubs drastically reducing their capacity numbers.
Many sex workers have turned to online streaming and content sites, like Pornhub and OnlyFans in an effort to make some extra cash.
Full service sex worker Kim* from brothel Collingwood Confidential said she’d noticed a major decrease in clients over the past few weeks and had turned to creating online content instead.
“It’s scary, some clients come in and wear a face mask for the whole session,” she said.
“The girls and I were thinking about whether we should stop kissing clients, but even then that’s not going to stop the virus.”
Pornhub’s Australian traffic was up 2.1 per cent on March 12 and is expected to continue to climb.
Italy’s usage increased by 13.8 per cent.
Manager of Collingwood Confidential Michael Kopp said they would stay open as long as possible but had taken precautionary measures.
“We’ve noticed a huge decrease in clientele, we’ve also cut down the girls’ working hours from eight to five and reduced it to one girl per room each shift,” Mr Kopp said.
Kittens strip club sent a message to dancers, informing them that they would reduce the number of dancers rostered on from 150 to 20.
Full service brothel Le Boudior confirmed they would be remaining open.
MORE: ILLEGALLY CLOSED LANE ON A MAJOR ROAD DURING PEAK HOUR
FORUM TO ADDRESS PROPOSED WASTE INCINERATOR IN CRAIGIEBURN
BROADMEADOWS TRAIN STATION RANKED STATE’S FIFTH WORST
Strip club Spearmint Rhino sent a message to dancers saying they would only be allowing 30 girls to be rostered on, with 100 patrons allowed to enter.
Goldfingers will stay open to all, but will test everyone who enters with a temperature gun.
The Mens Gallery said they were open but were considering options.
Sex workers are not paid an hourly rate and rely on bookings and tips for their income.
A Melbourne based GoFundMe was created to provide a relief fund for industry workers.
In just two days it has already raised met almost half its target of $20,000.
*not her real name.