kidnapping/sex trade concerns
I'm considering exotic dancing, at the point right know where I'm looking at what clubs would be good to work at.
I was talking to my mom about this (her view: "Dirty job? You mean like selling your soul to Corporate America?") and she said that her biggest concern was me getting kidnapped and ending up in a sex ring.
Obviously taking on exotic dancing has its risks but I was wondering how realistic her concern was. When she said it my stomach lurched but she admits she doesn't know the details of the industry, just that it's a possible risk.
Does anyone have any info or input on this? I did a search but didn't find anything on this specifically so if there's a thread feel free to just link me to it so you don't have to retype.
I would think that as long as I follow basic safety precautions and stay alert I'll be ok, but I will admit that while I am a black belt I don't look like I could kick the shit out of anyone because I have a tiny frame. That and no matter how many techniques you know and how long you've practiced, real life isn't the Dojo.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
I really don't think it's a big deal. If it happens, it'll be in very, very small doses. The 'white slavery' issue in the US mostly stems from overseas people being shipped in, or people from South America. They can't control English speaking Americans so well here.
At least, that's my gathering from my study into the sex trafficking.
And I agree with your mom on the Corporate America response. Tell her not to worry about it. Just find a safe club. If you have a chain nearby, that might make you feel safer to work at rather than a dive bar.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought. I've got someone who I've known for years who will take me to and from work and from what I've read the commute is the riskiest part.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
I really don't think you have anything to worry about.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
There's a risk with many different types of jobs. The risks that are more likely from working at a club are also the same risks that are common in corporate America... like you may encounter problems if walking to your car alone at night.
Honestly though, I've been in this industry a long time. The things I've encountered:
- Having a customer want to see me so bad after the club closed that he threw a glass bottle at the club security.
- Some guy one tried to follow me into my apartment in San Francisco. It was 3am though and I had on heavy make-up, so that may have attracted attention.
- I approached a guy at a club during a 2 for 1 special and a dancer that had just been hired went psycho on me for approaching her boyfriend, literally grabbing me. I don't think she'd ever danced before. I immediately told the club manager and since the whole club saw what happened the dancer was fired.
- Another time a dancer was totally high (drugged out) & drunk. She & her groupies decided they didn't like me... probably because I have the very typical stripper look (platinum blonde hair, decent sized chest), danced to different music than them, and had a different style of dancing than them. I was making decent money given the club. I guess I attracted a lot of attention and they didn't like it. Anyhow, the dancer attacked me in the dressing room, and her groupies soon tried to follow. Another member from StripperWeb was there when it happened, which was very helpful. When the owner failed to resolve the problem I left the club.
The last two things happened within the last year. I've been in this industry a long time (more than probably about 90% of dancers I encounter at clubs). I don't go out of my way to talk to most other dancers, I'm pretty quiet and keep to myself unless I already know someone or I've been roomed with them.
I think that your martial arts training will probably help you feel a lot safer. Be sure to always have security walk you to your car. If you report a problem and management doesn't make a good effort to resolve it... leave. Poor management isn't worth risking your life for.
I'd also suggest trying to find a true gentlemen's club/gown club if possible. I honestly never seen anything happen at higher end clubs. It probably does, but since I've been in the industry for awhile and haven't seen it - I would say it probably happens a lot less at the high end clubs.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
You just need to be careful. Get some mase or a taser and watch around you at all times when leaving, and make sure no one is following you.
Most of all just be aware of who you associate yourself with and the things you put yourself around. Don't get involved with drugs and keep in close communication with your family so you have people holding you accountable.
Bad people do prey on dancers, so don't meet people outside the club and try not to hang out with many of the dancers/customers you meet. There are a lot of good people you will meet through dancing, but there are more bad/dangerous people you will meet, so BE CAREFUL.
Check out this thread on safety tips
http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...y+tips+newbies
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
the one most important caveat ... ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings !!! The best way to deal with a threatening situation is to not allow yourself to get involved in the first place !!!
In general, the risks of a US citizen dancer working in a US club ever having to deal with a serious kidnapping / sex slave threat is miniscule. You have more to 'fear' from an irate club customer.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
Be careful with having a weapon on you to defend yourself - it can be used against you.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
^Very true. I know a lot of people have guns. I don't want a gun, but I wanted something in case I get in a situation I need protection. I keep a taser just in case, but I would only try and use it if I was pretty sure I could without it being used against me. It's a sticky situation, having a weapon. But if I was empty handed, I would have absolutely no hope in getting out of a kidnapping/rape situation.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
I work in a busy area so in the day its easy for me to slip away with no one batting a lash. At night the town clears out (esp. if I'm closing and its 3am) but I usually offer another dancer a ride home. That way there are two of us and I build a better relationship with them.
Also, a tactic that I have found effective in deterring men (after work or just walking around at anytime) is walking with your chest high and shoulder back. It makes you look strong and confident, if you walk around with your head down you're giving off signals that you're weak and easier to approach. Of course still be aware of your surroundings, but I've personally noticed this works really well in getting creepy guys shouting "hey girl I like what I see and I get what I like" off my back. Oh, and ignore them when they say that.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
Really, I think a lot of that is either genuinely concerned people who don't know that much about the industry, or scaremongers.
I was stupid enough to confide in people who used to be my closest friends in the world to me that I'd started stripping to pay bills after I lost my job. These are the same people who took me to my first strip club in the first place.
The response I got included a thinly veiled, racist comment that I would be shipped over to another part of the world and forced to do things that I would never even thought that either of them had heard of.
The upshot of it was that they were just sitting there, judging me and using any kind of shaming and scare tactic they could to make me change my mind.
Uh, no- at least I get some money at the end of the day from this job. ::)
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
be aware of your surroundings, stay sober, and carry yourself with confidence. victimizers tend to go after people who look like victims. also, don't bring a ton of stuff with you. a bag that you can carry over one shoulder comfortably should be enough. and wear comfortable shoes. it's unlikely to matter, but it'll make you look stronger if you feel like you're capable of putting up a fight.
and on those occasions something does happen to a dancer, it's more likely that she went missing while going to meet somebody for otc prostitution than simply getting kidnapped.
drunk bar skanks are more likely to be kidnapped than ballsy strippers.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
It's not very likely but check out this girl that was forced to work as a stripper at a Deja Vu in Seattle then they tried to get her to be a prostitute:
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/414593_prostitute24.html
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stripper Hacks
That story seems a bit weird and like it's missing a lot of information.
'Suddenly!' she was working at a strip club.
Then someone offers her $1000 for sex and suddenly they're about to ship her to Arizona but her friend stops her?
And she's underage, I'm assuming, because of the comments on trafficking kids and that she's a 'Child trafficking victim', but she was hired at Deja Vu? I thought they had fairly strict hiring practices being a chain?
Disgusting how low the charge is for human trafficking, though. Even $5000 is way too low - they make more than that on most sales. That's a minor infraction, like a parking ticket...
I mean, looking at trafficking, it entails: prostitution, kidnapping, rape, coercion, rape of a child... and it's treated on the level of, what, shoplifting or parking in a handicap zone? $500... how is that even possible? Even if the traffickers aren't the ones doing it, they're the reason these things are happening in these cases.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
^^^ I agree, it seems odd. I mean any time I've ever seen something remotely like this the victim's name is given and there's more details. This article had practically no details.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
I've worked all over the US and in western Europe. Its never been a concern.
If you are independent, read this site, keep your wits about you, its not something you have to fear.
Just to keep in perspective..women who are kidnapped as sex slaves/strippers against their will..they are not strippers..they are slaves..same as the slaves who built the pyramids and worked the plantations..they are people indentured against their will..no matter what the job is.
Sex work, as a voluntary thing, even as a stripper..allows for a lot of money and independence for the sovereign woman.
Re: kidnapping/sex trade concerns
I agree with the rest of the girls, you are probably okay but always be safe whether your an exotic dancer or a nurse. I think that being safe is always a good idea. Every gal should have mace and have attended some self-defense classes.
Here are a few safety tips that I put together thanks to one of the amazing bouncers at my old club.
Safety Tip#1
ALWAYS, and I mean always have one of the club security personnel walk you out to your car. This means that you have someone with you who knows what to look for and it discourages any stalkers or muggers.
Safety Tip#2
Have multiple routes home and switch up which way you go home each night. I had a great security guy when I was dancing. He told me that this was paramount since stalkers would often follow you home in short bursts. One night they would only follow you some of the way home and then they would wait for your at the location where they stopped following you another night.
This trick allows stalkers a way to follow you without you noticing. This is why switching up how you get home is very important.
Also, make sure to keep an eye on your rear view mirror. Watch out for cars that stay behind you for a long time. If I felt someone may be following me I started to take random turns. If the car stayed behind me the whole way I would go to a public safe place. Being followed home happens too much in this industry so be careful.
Safety Tip#3
Never give out your real name or personal information at work. I actually had a set of fake “real” information to give persistent customers. Stage names exist not only for fun, but for your protection. You would be surprised how easy it is for someone to figure out where you live with just a few pieces of information. Be careful, even the nicest customer can surprise you.
Safety Tip#4
Carry mace in your purse. This way you at least have some way to protect yourself if anything goes wrong. There are several articles on our website about self-defense as well that you can find: HERE.
Safety Tip#5
Lock your car doors, and lock your home/apartment door. Never leave either of these doors open for obvious reasons. By leaving either your car or home unlocked you are just asking for trouble.