I posted a comment to my Twitter this morning regarding the death of Julissa Brisman, and the fact that, apparently, prior to booking an appointment with her, the killer had attacked and robbed several other sex workers he met through Craigslist. My comment was, as the title of this post suggests:
If what they say about the Boston CL killer (numerous previous victims) is true, society at large caused the death of Julissa Brisman.
Some people understood what I meant, some didn’t, so let me explain why I made such an assertion.
We all know prostitution is illegal. And we all know that it goes on 24 hours a day, seven days a week in every single community in the country. There’s no telling how many billions of dollars have been wasted entrapping, prosecuting, and jailing people who’re engaged in something that, if done for free, would be perfectly legal. Yet, because there’s money involved, the government feels it has to “protect” us from ourselves; that we can’t be trusted to understand our decisions, or make them without some unseen influence. And that’s just direct costs; it doesn’t begin to factor in the indirect costs (how many sex workers have lost their “regular” jobs after being convicted of prostitution?).
The fact remains that thousands of times per day, in every community in the country, sex workers1 post ads on Craigslist and the huge variety of other bulletin boards where people offer professional sexual services to clients. They do this knowing and understanding there are risks that come with the work. The sad thing is, however, that those risks are, to a large extent, wholly unnecessary. Many could easily be mitigated if we didn’t have to hide in the shadows. Being victimized by criminals is one such risk.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, when a crime is perpetrated against a sex worker, that crime goes unreported. This includes thefts, robberies, kidnappings, brutal assaults, and especially rapes. It’s not even uncommon for police officers, those who’re supposed to protect everyone, to abuse and rape prostitutes.
Criminals are able to exploit this because they know that sex workers almost invariably won’t report being attacked. Why? If they do, the police arrest them for prostitution instead of focusing on the crime that had been perpetrated against the sex worker to begin with. Prostitutes know this and are usually forced to absorb the costs, financial, physical, psychological, and otherwise, without any chance of seeing justice done. That alone is injustice.
So the robber, or in this case, the killer, has no real fear of his crimes even coming to the attention of law enforcement, let alone worrying about prosecution or jail time. Killings are a bit different, of course. There’s usually a body involved and, even though we’re considered the dregs of society, it’s virtually impossible to ignore a dead body what with all of the media attention (though the police do try from time to time). If this guy hadn’t killed in such a public venue, there’s no telling how long his crime spree would’ve continued.
In this specific case, allegedly, the killer attacked women with impunity until he met one that decided to fight his ass. She ended up dead. Had sex work not been illegal, in all likelihood, the first victim, perhaps the second victim, or maybe the third victim would’ve gone to the police to report the crime and perhaps, just perhaps, this asshole would’ve been off the street long before he could’ve killed Julissa. The crime was amazingly simple to solve – they tracked him down using his IP address from his response to Julissa’s post on Craigslist. Imagine if his first victim had reported the crime, and the police had followed up on it. There’d be several fewer robbery victims and, AND, one less murder victim in the country.
Our society’s ridiculously incessant and persistent irrationality concerning all things sexual prevents us from decriminalizing professional sex work like many other progressive countries. And, in this case, it led directly to a 26-year old woman being killed. Society therefore has to shoulder some of the blame for her death.
Note that I didn’t say society killed Ms. Brisman. Clearly, the guy who pulled the trigger did that of his own volition. I’m not trying to deflect the blame for his killing her in any way. But the constraints society as a whole has placed on professional sex work most certainly contributed to causing her death. And for that, we should all be ashamed.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Brilliant analysis. This deserves to be widely retweeted.
I couldn’t possibly say it any better and I agree 110% with all that you say. I have said for a very long time that there is no reason for this career move to be illegal.
Its perhaps not a conventional decision and in some cases the women are pressured or coerced into it however in the people that I have known personally who were in the sex industry in any capacity – modeling on the internet, exotic dancers, burlesque, escorts, even streetwalkers — I have not personally met one who was coerced or exploited in any way, I’m not saying it doesn’t happen but the girls I know were informed and made the decision themselves.
If it wasn’t illegal and it was regulated to some extent (not like the government taking over like they do for most things but providing health care and some kind of benefits and such) I truly believe that we’d see much less coercion cases and many more women reporting these crimes when they happen.
Some people may not agree with the trade but if thats the case — don’t hire a companion or whichever worker you’re hating on, let them live their lives their way.
Because a woman is a sex trade worker does not make her expendable nor even less respectable, it just means that she has chosen a somewhat unconventional path and I don’t think that’s evil or worthless, its just a job like anything else. I’ll be perfectly honest here, I’d feel much more humiliation in flipping patties at McDs!
If society didn’t make these women worthless and criminal then they’d be a hell of a lot safer out there and really, given some benefits and health care, their customers would likely be safer and maybe a few of the real greasies like the CL killer wouldn’t bother in the first place because those types are cowardly enough to attack only the truly defenseless among us. Give these women some power and respect and I bet the whole game changes.
I could type on this topic for days but I won’t, I know you get what I mean though, thank you for posting this, more people need to hear the raw truth of the matter.
Samantha is absolutely correct by saying “Give these women some power and respect and I bet the whole game changes.”
Law enforcement takes their cues from society and sadly once people hear a victim of any crime was engaged in “criminal activity” they tend to go deaf. Mix that in with American reluctance to deal with sexual issues and an inherent sexism and our society allows shit like this to happen.
And as much as many fine members of law enforcement sincerely wish to apprehend criminals, there is an undeniable sense that crimes like the initial robberies/assaults and even the murder will scare both providers and clients. The media frenzy to sensationalize and even try to titillate strikes me as more exploitative than any argument against prostitution.
Persecuting providers and clients continues to leave them at risk to violent & dishonest individuals.
your entirely right. It’s without doubt that society has contributed to the cause behind julissa death.
It’s rather sad truly and unfortunate considering the religious attacks on on sex work and the contributing moral factor behind our work.
Prostitution has existed for decades and there were famous sex workers who were revered for their art in sexuality politics and well art AND literature.
With the advent of Christianity and other religion there was a stigma placed on prositution and the women who were suddenly respectable were all of the sudden viewed as trash.
These women deserve the respect and power for carrying on in a unconventional field.
Grand post.
I always learn so much from you
Becareful when meeting new people off the internet. I’m not saying don’t do it, but just be careful. Very good analysis.
Bashing and shaming gets us nowhere. That said, your emotional reaction is justified and I commend you for sticking your neck out on this one.
My real point here is this: we can only progress when we take that extra step of offering up solutions, rather than just pointing fingers and listing problems.
So, what do you propose we do about it?
Tyler,
So, what do you propose we do about it?
This would be a start:
http://www.realprincessdiaries.com/2008/08/decriminalization-vs-legalization/
Decriminalizing it alone, in all likelihood, would’ve allowed any of the prior victims to be able to come forward and report being victimized without feeling as though they’d be victimized by the police.
Even with decriminalization there is still going to be a huge social stigma to sex work. In countries where prostitution is decriminalized or even legal it is still seen in a negative light by many. Albeit unfairly.
There’s a huge veil of ignorance that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon unfortunately. We’re now only just reaching a point where a girl can sleep with several guys and not be thought of as a “slut.” Decriminalization is a step in the right direction, but society is a long way of accepting sex work as a legitimate and respected career.
Look at the issue of racism for example, it’s been a long time since it has been eliminated “on paper” but the attitudes remain. Thankfully they’re fading, but it has taken a long time.
A great post though Alexa, I’m just pessimistic.
You make valid points, Steve, and I definitely agree with you on all of them. Those are largely irrelevant to the specific point of this post, though. The fact that prostitution is a crime is what prevents sex workers from going to the police. Stigma really has little to do with that, though it might inhibit some from filing reports I’d suspect.
I am going to retweet your article. You should check out my website on Happy Endings? a documentary on Asian massage parlors in Rhode Island were prostitution is already Decriminalized.
Another lovely and insightful analysis. I love that you raise these issues and encourage people to question the status quo.
While I too agree with Steve, that decriminalization will not reduce stigma, I also don’t think that there is ANYTHING that will reduce stigma any time soon. Like racism, emancipation, or acceptance of LGBT, a social change and acceptance of such choices is a very lengthy process. It consists of many small steps – and years, and generations who grow up seeing those changes. I don’t see it as something to be pessimistic about – but as reality to accept and keep working.
Decriminalization, public education, coming outs, activism – I see all of those working combined to change the society.
Vanity cheri: Prostitution has existed for decades …
Uh, it’s actually been around a BIT longer than that, dear.
sorry love i didnt catch that I was typing in a hurry
Nah, I disagree. Society didn’t have anything to do with this. That’s a cop out and an excuse.
As an escort, she should have known the risks that she put herself in and planned accordingly, since the risks are part and parcel of the business.
The thing that you can take away from this is that it can happen to you and anyone else, and you should protect yourself
Raphael, I’m guessing you either didn’t read what I wrote, or didn’t comprehend it. Either way, you’re fucking wrong.
Well, I’m guessing you didn’t read my comment.
I think alexa’s point was
society helped to contribute to her death.
Basically that’s it put simply Raphael
I’m sorry but I have to step in again as well. If Raphael is right in his thinking then that would say to me (unless I’m hearing him wrong) that we shouldn’t give policemen or firefighters or soldiers danger pay, Never mind the safety commissions for construction workers or manual labourors, they knew what they were getting into, they should have gone in prepared–its their own damn fault.
A number of careers carry the threat of imminent danger and yet they’re respected and when someone dies the victim is not torched by society, we holler that the employers or the safety board was lax and allowed it to happen, that there should have been more protection already in place. Why shouldn’t sex trade workers have that same sense of security?
Decriminalize this so that these women aren’t persecuted for coming forward with these attacks, you don’t even have to afford them any special benefits in fact, just let them have a voice within the boundaries of the law when these idiots perform these atrocities, let them have a chance to protect themselves that isn’t illegal in and amongst itself–because as long as its illegal then any self defense they have to use will also be illegal and therefor–whats the good of it?
We have a labour board in Canada, it lets workers air their grievances and its sets boundaries and limits by legislation as to just how far the employers are allowed to go even in the case of self employment.
I know genuine therapeutic masseuses who can and have used this guideline to protect themselves and they’re not even close to the sex trade yet they do out-calls and they touch human flesh, all in the line of duty. My sister in law visits the infirm and the housebound and she has a lucrative hair design business, she’s protected. These intimate acts while seeming so simple to some are really not that far off from what services these workers provide on a much deeper level…
Think on that, its ok if you still disagree but its important that you realize that any number of other professions that go just as far without involving graphic gratification ARE indeed protected and you seldom hear of attacks in those fields.
I will be honest with you all, if I needed the services of a companion or a sensual masseuse and I could afford it, I’d not hesitate to call someone who had a good name in the business and was well presented and I would respect them the same as any other caregiver in my employ because to some, maybe that pedicure or shampoo is just as intimate as a five minute BJ or a sexy rub that makes you feel like king of the world, its all about YOU and what YOU have asked for.
Just remember, the girl did not ask to be shot or beaten or robbed or raped any more than the teenager in the high heels walking to the party after 10PM. Should that kid have been carrying a gun in her knickers to fight off would be attackers? I’m just sayin’…
Agian Alexa, sorry to ramble away, I just really wish I had a bigger more global voice, that’s all. I’ve added my Twitter, anyone who’d like to chat further or has any idea how I could help in any way–hit me up, ok?
Vanity & Samantha,
My point was that there will always be people who intend to do harm (although they’re in the minority). They’ll be there regardless of what laws are in place, or whether escorts are socially accepted in society or not.
To think this is all glamour, is wrong. There’s plenty of risk. But most times, the glamour and the money are what most young women see.
Escorts are supposed to understand these risks when they enter the business and have a backup plan (verification, bodyguard, someone who knows whereabouts + client info, mace, etc) in place to protect themselves. That’s why they charge more (the higher the risk, the higher the pay). Which is why it’s a good idea to start out with a mentor.
Whenever LE gets involved in cases like these, it will always be after the fact, which is too late.
Raphael, I’m not sure if you really don’t understand or if you’re being ignorant on purpose.
Not one person has said there’s no risk involved here. Quite the opposite, in fact. That’s not even in contention at this point.
Let’s use his first robbery victim as an example. Had she gone to the police to report the robbery, and the police used the same information they had available to them after Julissa’s killing (IP addresses, phone #s, etc.) to track the guy down, he might have been in jail before he could kill Julissa. Right?
But the fact is that she couldn’t go to the police because what she does is illegal and SHE would’ve been arrested rather than the cops focusing on the guy who robbed her. That would’ve happened because society has dictated that the consensual selling of sexual services is against the law.
Since society put her in that untenable position, and she couldn’t go to the police, this asshole was allowed to continue to prey on women in the same set of circumstances.
That is the basis of the assertion that society bears some responsibility for Julissa’s death.
Now, what part of that don’t you understand?
I understand your point of view. If the world were a perfect place and if all things were equal.
But blaming “society” is a vague, feel good statement.
And next month, this will likely be forgotten.
Now if you want to run for office, let me know and I’ll run your campaign. Then maybe you could do something if you’re elected.
“Had sex work not been illegal, in all likelihood, the first victim, perhaps the second victim, or maybe the third victim would’ve gone to the police to report the crime and perhaps, just perhaps, this asshole would’ve been off the street long before he could’ve killed Julissa.”
And there’s an even greater likelihood that sex workers wouldn’t have been a target at all.
“We’re now only just reaching a point where a girl can sleep with several guys and not be thought of as a “slut.””
HA! I’m sorry, but exactly what is your address in Utopia? Have you not been paying attention to, well anything? Most recently the girl who committed suicide over the sexting controversy? The slut stigma has not gone anywhere Steve. Good goddess, what the fuck gave you that idea?
I can appreciate your wanting prostitution to be legal, but your efforts here are counterproductive.
“… something that, if done for free, would be perfectly legal”
Uhhhh, same can be said about the selling of human organs, and it would be a complete disaster to invite the murderous crimes this would cause into our society.
Believe me, I would really love it if prostitution were made legal, but until you and Julissa Brissman can live with yourselves, then society will not reduce its intolerance of you.
Now of course Julissa Brissman was “not an escort” (according to the madam who pimped her out) – that is a big, fat laugh!!!!
I care more about Julissa Brissman AS an ‘escort’ than I do about Julissa Brissman as a random and attractive woman in society.
To sit there behind the anonymity of the internet and spout-off about how prostitution should be legal doesn’t do anybody any good. When prostitutes won’t even take a stand in the public eye then society as a whole will continue not to care one iota about them.
Your occupation is no less “legal” than it was for Rosa Parks to sit in the front of the bus. I hope you’ll get your hot ass planted up near the bus driver very soon.
Thanks for trying…
“Jerry”
Uhhhh, same can be said about the selling of human organs, and it would be a complete disaster to invite the murderous crimes this would cause into our society.
Bad analogy, dude. Really bad. Having an organ removed from your body is in no way analogous to fucking someone. Selling organs involves surgery and permanently being scarred or maimed, inherently. Are you seriously comparing murdering someone for organs to giving them orgasms?
… but until you and Julissa Brissman can live with yourselves,
Not sure what you’re talking about here. I have no problem “living with myself” and what I do.
Now of course Julissa Brissman was “not an escort” (according to the madam who pimped her out) – that is a big, fat laugh!!!!
Unless you know what she was doing, you can just shut the fuck up about her. You don’t any more know what she was doing than I do. I wasn’t there, and neither were you.
To sit there behind the anonymity of the internet and spout-off about how prostitution should be legal doesn’t do anybody any good.
I beg to differ with you. It’d be worse, IMO, to sit there behind the anonymity of the internet and spout off about something I know nothing about like you’re doing here.
When prostitutes won’t even take a stand in the public eye then society as a whole will continue not to care one iota about them.
You don’t get around much. There are several instances each year where prostitutes stage public walks, sit-ins, presentations, debates, appear before legislative bodies, , etc.
Come back when you’re not as ignorant as you appear to be.
@Jerry: “When prostitutes won’t even take a stand in the public eye then society as a whole will continue not to care one iota about them.”
I have to echo what Alexa said. And I’ll go further on two accounts. Here is a fairly comprehensive list of international sex workers’ rights organizations. Go educate yourself. Before you go spouting off, let me remind you that mainstream publications do not pay attention to us activist because we don’t present sensational bullshit, just facts and suggestions. If you don’t read what is on that link, then you’ll prove that you are full of shit and have nothing better to do with your time than spout sanctimonious drivel with, to quote you, the anonymity of the internet.
Finally is the fact that your accusation is a cop out. There are plenty of peoples in this world that cannot stand up for themselves for a variety of reasons. So are their needs invalid? I guess they are according to you. But prostitutes and other sex workers are not sitting idly by, twiddling our thumbs. The fact of the matter is, either you care about others or you don’t, whether or not they do anything about their situation themselves.
You have two choices here: get involved in the sex workers’ rights movement as an ally or shut the fuck up. Save the indignation for someone else.
jerry:
While obviously your entitled to your ill thought opinion
We are entitled to think your a dumbass.
Do some research before you run up in here
Guns blazing and pointing the finger.
I’m just starting out a sex worker so my wealth of knowledge is limited
Compared to all of these women I’m just a baby
Look at us this is a community a support group.
We rally around one another.
@Jerry: “When prostitutes won’t even take a stand in the public eye then society as a whole will continue not to care one iota about them.”
Yeah. Right.
http://www.chezstella.org/stella/?q=en/laws2007
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/sharp/news/swan_20081217
http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/AH18Df02.html
That, Jerry, was 5 minutes of googling since I had no relevant documents at hand. Because unlike you, I am not ignorant about the ongoing decades-long struggle of sex workers to be heard by the society and media that includes forming organizations and industry associations, protest groups and protest/pride marches, conferences, designing media kits, creating and disseminating reports, and even actual lobbying and liaising with regulators and other activists.
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