The unanimous vote by St. John’s City Council to move ahead with new development regulations and end the moratorium on massage parlours is fueling debate about what actually happens in the establishments.

Angela Crockwell, executive director of Thrive, she says that even though there isn’t supposed to be sex happening in massage parlours, that is not what Thrive’s clients are saying.

One of the clients told Crockwell when someone comes in and lays down an extra $100, then everything is on the table.

Thrive’s clients have been reaching out to the organization to say they are very concerned that no one is talking about the violence and exploitation that happens in the parlours.

Crockwell says she wants to see regulations that will increase safety and protect the people working in the parlours from exploitation, trafficking and violence.

She says they recognize these are very vulnerable women who have histories of trauma and are just trying to survive day-to-day and meet their basic needs.

Massage parlour workers do not have access to basic worker rights or safety that would be expected in any other job, including supports and compensation for workplace injury.