In India, the police try to clamp down on prostitution, but they are not always successful. They often check classified ads and the internet for sex solicitations. However, they acknowledge that it is very difficult to clamp down on high-priced prostitutes, who are usually hired by rich clients who can afford anything they want. The call girls can do just about anything their client wants them to do, including arranging private liaisons. Zeba is one of these call girls, and she started out as a model and was lucky enough to get a break from a Bollywood client who had a big name.
Prostitution is the only source of income
Prostitution is the only source of income for millions of Indian escorts. It is a traditional practice that has become a multi-million-dollar industry in the country. The lack of awareness, resources, and opportunities are some of the factors that contribute to women’s vulnerability to prostitution.
Girls are often groomed for prostitution. Traditionally, girls join the trade once they reach puberty. Some girls are persuaded to enter the trade even before they reach puberty. In some cases, girls are groomed by watching pornography and blue films in order to prepare for the trade.
High-priced escorts are educated women from middle-class families
In the past, the girls engaged in prostitution were largely from middle-class families. About 95 percent of them were from nuclear families and only four percent were from extended families. They earned Rupees 14,000 to 45,000 per month. Some of the girls have been trafficked to other countries. Most girls are under the age of 40, but some operate at an older age.
In April 2011, the Centre for Advocacy on Stigma and Marginalisation conducted a major survey on the sex work industry in India. This organization is a subsidiary of SANGRAM, a prominent NGO that promotes sex work.
Indian law on escort services
Escort services in India fall in the grey area between being legal and illegal. Most escort websites and agencies operate under the guise of friends or acquaintances, so it is almost impossible to catch them. While the escorts and prostitutes do not directly solicit clients, their activity is considered a form of solicitation and illegal under Indian law. The Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, of 1956, is the primary law that governs sex work in India. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, also contains provisions that deal with human trafficking.
Although prostitution is not specifically illegal in India, certain practices that facilitate it are. For example, a sex worker may not solicit customers in public and should not engage in sexual activity with a client who is under the age of eighteen. However, if a client engages in such activity in the vicinity of a public place, they could face disciplinary action.
Availability of male escorts
In India, men are increasingly providing sexual services to women in exchange for a fee. Male escorts provide services such as direct sex and massage. They are generally educated and cater to wealthy clients. In Andhra Pradesh, Krishna Naidu works with a society that empowers people of alternative sexuality. The society supports around 50,000 male sex workers who live stigmatized lives and earn little money from offering massages and selling their bodies.
The Sambhavana Society, an NGO that works with male sex workers in India, says that there is a surge in male sex in India. Men in the industry have diverse looks, backgrounds, and economic statuses. While many of the men involved in the sex trade are uneducated, most are semi-literate.
Legality
There are a number of issues that need to be addressed when it comes to the legality of women needing an escort in India. The number of prostitutes in India is estimated to be about 900,000. Most are forced into this profession by poverty and human trafficking. They are also vulnerable to violence. Many complain to the police about partner and family violence but are ignored by the authorities. It is important that these women have access to the basic rights that every citizen has.
While many Indian laws are clear regarding prostitution, the legality of women needing escort services is murky. Many websites and agencies that offer these services hide behind friendships and are unlikely to be caught. While the practice of providing sexual services is not explicitly illegal, it is considered a solicitation, which is prohibited in India.
Cost
The cost of Indian escort in India is high, and it is not uncommon for women to pay upwards of Rs 20,000 for the service. These professionals are usually struggling actors and models who are looking for a quick way to make money. Even simple photo shoots can earn Rs 2000 or more a day. Escorts in India can also earn anywhere from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per day, which helps them maintain their lifestyles.
