Sex work is a controversial topic. But at the end of the day, sex work is a job just like any other. Websites like Backpage. But in , a law meant to curb sex trafficking and prostitution was passed, causing the shutdown of Backpage and dozens of sites just like it.
Although you could find postings of all kinds, Backpage. Whether you were searching from Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, or Canberra, you could find local listings of all types. You could find job postings, furniture sales, personal ads, and much more on Backpage.
Most people went to Backpage for its adult services section. This section contained a wide variety of postings from professional BDSM practitioners, erotic masseuses, escorts, sugar babies, cam girls, and other kinds of sex workers.
There were female to female, male to male, and male to female services as well, although significantly less popular. The site had been a target of anti-sex work groups and law enforcement for years, but Backpage.
This included classifieds and personals sites that hosted ads for sex workers, like Craigslist Personals and Backpage. Many people were affected by the site shutdown, including former Backpage executive Michael Lacey who was charged with human trafficking for knowingly facilitating prostitution on his site. Backpage gave them a safe and independent way to work. They could choose when to work and with whom, vet potential clients with other sex workers, and earn a steady income as an independent contractor versus working under a pimp or madame who would take a cut of their earnings.
