Oppose Prostitution on Craigslist Erotic Services

The Craigslist Killer has brought a face to the underbelly of Craigslist. Well known as a website where you can find both an apartment and a sofa to put in it, Craigslist also has a well established personal section. But what the average user of Craigslist and the average parent does not know is that buried in the services section is a section for erotic services, i.e. prostitution.

Most erotic services pages are thinly veiled solicitations for prostitution. Many include an erotic picture. Many include a description of the offered services. And the only thing you have to do to access the prostitution solicitation is to click the link. It takes you to a page with a warning and disclaimer that says in part:

Unless all of the following points are true, please use your “back” button to exit this part of craigslist:
I am at least 18 years old.
I understand “erotic services” may include adult content.
I agree to flag as “prohibited” anything illegal or in violation of the craigslist terms of use. This includes, but is not limited to, offers for or the solicitation of prostitution.
I agree to report suspected exploitation of minors to the appropriate authorities.
By clicking on the links below, I release craigslist from any liability that may arise from my use of this site.

You then click the appropriate category w4m, m4m, etc and are taken to the appropriate listings.

To be fair, Craigslist does cooperate with authorities when requested to do so. However by making this prostitution information readily available they provide much more opportunity for illegal activity than they ever stop. They also provide an opportunity for the community to flag a listing if it violates the terms of service which prohibit illegal activity (Section 7.n). But the problem with community policing is that many members must flag an item before it is reviewed for removal. The other obvious problem is that the people generally visiting this section are actually looking for prostitution and are unlikely to flag posts.

So what is a web user to do?

1. Get a free or paid content control system on your computer to prevent children from accessing the readily available erotic pictures. Craigslist, and other sites, use the PICS system that works with many software packages

2. Submit an online complaint to Craigslist. If you want to copy my request this is what I did. Type of issue is “law enforcement”. Subject is “Erotic Services.” Here is the message I sent:

I was surprised to stumble upon Craigslist’s erotic services section and find there is a substantial amount of prostitution solicitation going on there.

As you are aware, solicitation for prostitution is illegal under Section 647(b) of the California Penal Code. As such it is illegal under section 7.n of the Craigslist Terms of Service.

In addition your verification of adult status in wholely inadequate. An Adult Verification System (AVS)for portions of your site such as the personal section would protect against the dissemination of pornography to minors.

This shall be a request that you terminate the erotic service section of craigslist since it increases pornography by providing a readily accessible business platform for it. It shall also be a request that you implement an AVS system in other sections of your site.

I will be providing the information results I receive from you to the proper authorities either explaining your cooperation with this request or your failure to cooperate.

3. You can also send a letter to:

Craigslist
1381 9th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122

or fax it to 415-504-6394

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