Is it Illegal to Go to a Massage Parlor?
Do you know your visit to a massage parlor can get you in trouble? bedsheet acts don’t always occur like it is shown on TV. Instead, now it is run out of a business that can be used as a front.
Unfortunately, massage parlors have become popular venues that serve as a cover.
Is it illegal to go to a massage parlor? Yes, if you are living in the United States of America. No, if you live in countries like Finland, Australia, Denmark, and many others.
For rules in other countries and why it’s illegal read on.
Why is Massage Parlors illegal?
People might be familiar with some famous “additional services” provided by some massage parlors but are mostly unaware of the dark entanglements behind them.
Here are a few reasons why going to massage parlors is illegal in many countries:
Additional happy time services
Many massage parlors are pretty generous regarding additional happy time services. However, the truth of the matter is that you may not see these happy time services on their brochures or hear the masseuses talking about it.
However, they are offered to clients at the end of their massage sessions without their knowledge. That is after you have had your full body massage, your masseuse may begin to use their hand to give you know what under the sheets. Some may even go beyond that going all the way.
The full-body massage relaxes the client’s body. However, having a release at the end is the aim. These massage parlors use these happy time services to make their clients return frequently.
The more regularly a client returns, the higher revenue they generate.
If you ever get caught in such a situation, you must immediately ask to terminate the massage in a stern tone. Else, you will find yourself later in a troublesome situation.
It certainly becomes illegal when inappropriate acts of any kind are involved.
Therefore, it is better to do some groundwork before going to any massage parlor.
Trafficking
Some massage parlors may serve as a cover for human trafficking. In addition, the massage parlor in your neighborhood might be involved in a hybrid of crimes such as trafficking, conspiracy, immigration fraud, money laundering, and labor trafficking.
Therefore, you must do some research before paying a visit.
In these massage parlors, a client visits the parlor for a massage and later adds “additional services” to their bill. By paying for these “additional services,” you involve yourself in illegal acts.
What could happen if you get caught in an illicit massage parlor?
When law enforcement conducts a raid, they are not necessarily targeting the customers of the massage parlors but rather the owners and people that work there.
However, if you are unlucky enough to be caught in the raid, you will also be arrested and charged for various crimes, including:
- Pimping
- Money laundering
- Tax evasion
- Licensing violations
- Labor code violations
- Pandering
What Countries are Massage Parlors Legal?
Going to massage parlors in Australia, Denmark, Finland, and many others is not considered a crime only in one condition – a parlor must be registered and has all the required permits to make it legal.
Therefore, before going to any massage parlor in any of these countries, you must conduct research to check if it is registered or not. Else, you will get yourself behind bars just for wanting your tensed muscles relaxed.
Not only is it an illegal violation to ask and spend money on illegal services, but it is a moral one too. If you choose to go to these massage parlors, you fuel the prostitution and trafficking industry. Therefore, it is highly unethical, if not illegal.
List of countries where illicit massages are legal
Here are a few countries where happy time services are legal:
- Denmark
- Finland
- Costa Rica
- Argentina
- Canada
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
Even if it’s legal in these countries, you still must prefer going to a registered massage parlor or the one with all the required permits and certifications.
8 Signs a massage parlor is illegal
It is difficult to see the difference between legitimate and illicit massage parlors. Unfortunately, most of what appear to be legitimate businesses are not what they advertise.
Here are the few most common indicators that can help you identify whether a massage parlor is legitimate or just a human trafficking venue:
- Erotic services are provided or advertised on illicit websites.
- All workers of these massage parlors wear very revealing clothes.
- Some illegal massage parlors may refuse to service females.
- The workers speak little to no English.
- The workers of these massage parlors are not allowed to talk a lot, and owners often yell at them for being too talkative.
- Windows of the massage parlors are entirely covered or blacked out.
- The workers often live in the parlor or live together in another location.
- The service providers are often there for a short time, and new providers show up weekly or monthly.
Final thoughts
A great massage can recharge your body after a hectic day. You can go to a massage parlor whenever you want to give your body the pampering it deserves.
Make sure to visit a credible one. Else, you will get caught up in illegal activity. Going to a massage parlor is not unlawful, but going to the one involved in prostitution and trafficking is.
Now it’s time to hear from you:
What are your thoughts on illegal massages?
Have you heard of illicit massages before?
Did you know you could land in jail simply for being in an illegal massage parlor?
You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!
