Escort and massage businesses operate throughout the country. Many are not illicit, but there are a few red flags to look out for in CityVibe. Many of these businesses advertise that their services are beneficial for women. But there is little connection between these massage businesses and traditional Asian remedies. Instead, they have turned into a $3 billion a year sex industry that relies on tight-knit ownership rings and pervasive secrecy to lure thousands of mostly foreign women to their establishments.

Some of these workers are illegal immigrants. They lack legal representation, distrust attorneys, and are afraid of retaliation from human traffickers. Some feel morally obliged to their employers. Other workers are simply doing it to make ends meet. Despite the risks, massage and escort services are incredibly popular in the United States.

Escort and massage services often exploit their employees. Many women who work in these facilities are unable to pay their bills and may even be victims of human trafficking. Some spas are operated by loan sharks, and others are run by labor traffickers. Women working in massage parlors may not even know they are being exploited. They must pay for supplies and condoms, and they are often forced to sleep on their massage tables or in cramped kitchens.

Sexual assaults are rampant in the illicit massage industry. Many women who work in massage parlors are undocumented and fear reporting the abuse. Reporting abuse could lead to deportation. 40% of study participants reported being sexually assaulted while working in massage parlors.

Typically, an MP will have specialized training in massage. She can help relieve physical stress and tension. An MP is likely to have more experience with massage than an SP. However, massage isn’t the primary goal of the service. The goal is to provide a full experience for the client.

In the United States, there are more than 25,000 illicit massage parlors. These establishments operate in every state. They can be found in bustling cities and remote strip malls. Although the profession may sound glamorous, the salaries earned are not enough to make these workers a sustainable living. In fact, they are less profitable than jobs at restaurants and nail salons.