Researchers Asking To Interview

[+ OliverSaks]

hey ya'll,

 

I've recently had a couple of university professionals (an Arkansas lawyer and some guys in Kentucky) ask about interviewing me about my experiences escorting for research purposes. One is offering money and one makes no mention of it.

 

Have you all ever gone through interviews of this kind? Is it likely to be a scam or some kind of entrapment?

 

Hope to hear from some of ya'll!

-0S

[+ Kufrol]

I wonder if they're enacting some sort of fantasy. Perhaps the attorney wants to gather information for a client of his. Most journalists will not offer money to interview people for an article.

[+ OliverSaks]

Journalists - no money

 

Academic researchers - often incentives

[Courage]

Is it likely to be a scam or some kind of entrapment?

 

I think I've seen this scenario in a porn vid... Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING ISN'T ACTIONABLE LEGAL OR PRACTICAL ADVICE.

 

My concerns wouldn't extend only to the intent of the researchers, but to the potential for subsequent subpoena/warrant by law enforcement. There *is* legitimate academic study of activity that is "illegal" and there *are* legitimate reasons to participate. Like a lot of the other stuff discussed here, there is risk calculus that you'll have to make.

[jawjateck]

Years ago, I gave an interview to a hunky grad student doing research on our world. No companion would agree to meet him. I offered a lunch meeting, and he accepted. We had a great conversation. He took a lot of notes too. He was astounded by the things I shared, like how much I spent, the earnings and career potential of companions, the diversity of intellect and aptitude of the men I had enjoyed, etc etc.

 

He even joked about the mountain of student loan debt he was accumulating when other "options" were available. We had a good laugh over that one. Who knows if he had the sensual skills for this work, but he definitely had the looks.

[Spencer L]

no, you should get compensated by the time you spent, but to each of their own.

[+ OliverSaks]

Made contact with the researcher and asked for his IRB - he sent it along and after reviewing it, I'm confident I'm in no danger.

 

If an officer of law enforcement made a fake IRB and RM profile to make my life hell, I concede.

[Jostar]

Made contact with the researcher and asked for his IRB - he sent it along and after reviewing it, I'm confident I'm in no danger.

 

If an officer of law enforcement made a fake IRB and RM profile to make my life hell, I concede.

Don't waste your time in this, telling to much information of your escort life to these people can be a problem and could effect you later in your future. Somethings are better left alone.

[+ bashful]

Were these "researchers" to approach clients, I, for one, would decline.

[+ nycman]

Using grant money to hire whores.....

 

One of the oldest tricks in the book.

 

All in the name of "science" of course.....

[+ Eric Hassan]

I would have advised you to get the IRB number as well. You might ask for the consent and disclosure forms to review. I took part in a research study as well - because the consent form guaranteed anonymity and explained privacy practices - and because there was an IRB number.

 

I don't think payment or lack thereof adds or detracts from legitimacy.

[+ peterhung85]

At the end of the day you need to ask yourself: What is your "upside" in this and whether the potential payout is worth all this?

[+ OliverSaks]

I would have advised you to get the IRB number as well. You might ask for the consent and disclosure forms to review. I took part in a research study as well - because the consent form guaranteed anonymity and explained privacy practices - and because there was an IRB number.

 

I don't think payment or lack thereof adds or detracts from legitimacy.

All of these things you mentioned are in my possession.

 

If I am able to add anything to the overall goal of destigmatizing sex work, at a potential cost which I deem to be quite small, I'm on board.

 

Interview is Monday.

[BryanKnight]

Do a background check on them. You can start through a network of professional who actually do research on sex worker by looking up the bibliography and resources from

Male Sex Work and Society, edited by Victor Minichiello and John Scott. Literally more than 50 professionals there who have done the research who you can ask to do a background check on these people (or perhaps these people contacting you have never even heard of the book and they would benefit from knowing it)

 

DO you homework!

[+ OliverSaks]

Do a background check on them. You can start through a network of professional who actually do research on sex worker by looking up the bibliography and resources from

Male Sex Work and Society, edited by Victor Minichiello and John Scott. Literally more than 50 professionals there who have done the research who you can ask to do a background check on these people (or perhaps these people contacting you have never even heard of the book and they would benefit from knowing it)

 

DO you homework!

The research is only somewhat specific to sex work, so I expect that I would strike out in the avenue you suggested, but I'll point him to that book if he hasn't already seen it.

 

Thanks for the info.

[JuniorNYC]

I was going to suggest the exact same thing @BryanKnight stated. I have a copy of the book myself - great read. I read it before seeing my first client. I did a lot of homework which helped guide me into this work. I'm incredibly grateful to the researchers who have contributed to sex work research and help make what we do safer and less stigmatizing. I would jump at the opportunity once I confirmed it was all legit.

[+ OliverSaks]

I was going to suggest the exact same thing @BryanKnight stated. I have a copy of the book myself - great read. I read it before seeing my first client. I did a lot of homework which helped guide me into this work. I'm incredibly grateful to the researchers who have contributed to sex work research and help make what we do safer and less stigmatizing. I would jump at the opportunity once I confirmed it was all legit.

I'll send the researcher the link to your ad on RM, if you wish. I completed the interview and was paid for my time promptly.