Lets talk about advertisements and prostitution

[Trupiano]

Ok. 

 

Recently, I have seen a.. increase in a certain type of advertisement. Over the last couple of months the number of ads looking for or offering the service of "escorts" has increased rapidly, at first these advertisements had been somewhat discreet or only really appeared late in the evening when less then a hundred players were on. Now it seems /ad has become pornMD with ad's looking for very niche and specific "Escorts".

 

Today's advertisement that sparked this thread: "[17:18:32] [Advertisement] Looking for non-binary escort. SMS only - PH:"

 

Now for those of you who know me OOCly, you know I am a firm believer that ERP is #haram. However, I also believe everyone has the freedom to play what they want and if someone wants to have Esex, more power to them as it really can help create RP. But we as a community need to talk about where the line is, I haven't seen any bans handed out IG for these /ad's and I would like to know what everyone's opinion on the issue is. Should this be allowed? Do we need a rule put in place?

 

I am not and did not say ERP should not be allowed. #ERPisHaram is a JOKE and I am not trying to take away your Esex

Edited December 2, 2019 by Henning

[cryybabyycryy]

Its a fine line. I live in a place where prostitution is legal, when regulated. Ads for it are not in any way legal. I am all for some prostitute/escort rp as these are real life things but I wish it would be kept at a more illegal thing and done quietly. 

 

Also I don't know many if any that rp this long term.. Rp a escort, make money fast..name change and get all you want. That is a popular thing round here.

Edited December 2, 2019 by cryybabyycryy

[zaXer.]

Haram? We aren't an Islamic law oriented server. Really that has nothing to do with this. You are playing a 18+ game, really. Sex is a big part of everyone's life and of course that reflects in game as well. You're expected to be an adult here, what's wrong with it? Nobody forces you into anything, you don't have to mess in others game. I don't roleplay that kind of stuff either but why stop others who want to? It adds to the immersion of the game. 

Mario kart doesn't have that. 

 

 

Stop fixing IC problems by OOC means. IRL you don't see them so visibly because the cops would instantly hit on it. IG here, I havent heard a single escort or anything related to the cops trying to fight it. Start arresting people and doing stings and they will stop advertising. 

Edited December 2, 2019 by zaXer.

[cryybabyycryy]

Just now, zaXer. said:

Haram? We aren't an Islamic law oriented server. Really that has nothing to do with this. You are playing a 18+ game, really. Sex is a big part of everyone's life and of course that reflects in game as well. You're expected to be an adult here, what's wrong with it? Nobody forces you into anything, you don't have to mess in others game. I don't roleplay that kind of stuff either but why stop others who want to? It adds to the immersion of the game. 

Mario kart doesn't have that. 

This you missed the point.. He implies he isnt into erp but says right in it that if others do it cool. The post is about the legality of advertising sex work publicly.

[Jauss]

I think it should only be promoted through a bureau name if it were to be an /ad. Such as "You're bored tonight? Visit "bureau name/website" for a good time." for example. Make a business topic on forums etc. Or work through Facebrowser. Lots of opportunities. 

ERP should definitely be allowed. If people don't like it, then don't do it. Same goes for gore/torture/rape RP. Always ask the other part for consent. People should be old enough to know when enough is enough and when they don't want to participate in the roleplaying session that is about to evolve. 

[MasterChief]

I think escort services/prostitution should be allowed. It’s a part of real life, it happens all the time. It all depends on the legality of escort services within Los Santos. Obviously none of them will advertise prostitution, but in a lot of places escort services are legal within limits. 
 

I still see people posting ads for selling lockpicks when they are illegal to have and those don’t get moderated (once in a blue moon, but not often). So, I hope with their new rule set they provide more clarity and effort by the team to keep the ad system the way it was designed to be used. 

Edited December 2, 2019 by Kestalas

[cryybabyycryy]

off topic, but you can order lockpicks off amazon..

 

[Trupiano]

I have updated my post with a disclaimer.

 

The issue is NOT Should ERP be allowed.

 

The issue IS should people be allowed to use /ad to search for prostitutes/escorts?

 

 

Frankly, it feels like cheap roleplay. Go to the bar and meet an escort/prostitute. Head down to the street corner and try to pick up a lady of the night. Get connected with a high class ring of escorts and order one to your hotel room. There is so much RP potential to be had!

 

You know what lacks RP potential? "/ad Looking for blonde hooker SMS Only -"

 

This isn't about stopping people from RPing sex, This is about stopping poor RP.

[Keane]

A full rule to regulate what ads will be allowed will be included with the new rules. Here's the first paragraph:

The advertisement system is there to assist in the creation of roleplay, and assist in the trade of assets and services. Illegal advertisements are not allowed even if the intent behind them is hidden or attempted to be hidden IC. Players are expected to use other IC methods to distribute illegal items or services. This includes illegal gambling and card games of any kind. 

Escort services would fall under the second sentence, where hiding the intent of the illegal activity is still against our rules. The idea is to push players into making IC connections through roleplay rather than just using the advertisement system. 

Escorting is something that is legal but since we're on a roleplay server, the majority of escorts are just using it as an IC cover for prostitution. An idea that I had was to allow escorting companies that are registered to advertise through /cad, but to disallow individuals from advertising escort services. If people go through the effort to register a company and run one, they'll get the advantage of being able to advertise the company. From that point on, it will be up to law enforcement to investigate if a company is operating legally or not.

 

We'll most likely be disallowing "looking for x" advertisements in-game too. With that, people looking for escorts won't be allowed to make those kinds of ads.

[Brett]

Simple solution. Have the IC government pass some restrictions on the type of advertisements that can be done, with penalties attached. No need for anything OOC, and allows some flexibility.