Licensed massage therapists have long complained about the widespread use of the term “massage parlour” and have been calling for a name change.
They say they are therapists and have been trained in things like physiology and anatomy whereas many other so-called massage parlours and staff have no training and are merely thinly disguised locales for the sex trade.
In Winnipeg, as elsewhere, “massage parlours” are not licensed to provide sexual services. But, George Fraser, Executive Director of the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba says, “Massage parlours are sex trade places. We know that, the police know that, the city knows that”
Now the city council is considering a change in the licence for so-called massage parlours, to rename them as “body rub parlours”
Mr Fraser says it’s a step in the right direction to avoid confusion in the public’s eyes between a sex trade worker and his trained therapeutic association members. His association has long complained the term “massage parlour” demeans trained therapists and occasionally confuses customers who seek therapeutic massage and unwittingly patronize establishments offering services of a sexual nature…or vice versa.
Fraser’s Association counts 750 registered massage therapists. There are four of the so-called “massage parlours” licenced to operate in downtown Winnipeg.
City council will consider the name change on Monday
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