"The Natashas" and "The Johns" by Victor Malarek

[moviefan]

I noticed "The Johns" in the bookstore today.

I remember reading "The Natashas" and feeling very troubled by it. There are some terrible stories in the book and it is difficult to learn about those abuses.

The one problem I have with Malarek is that he seems to be convinced that everyone in the sex trade is the victim of sex slavery (my opinion comes from a TV interview I saw him give when he was promoting The Natashas). That is why he is so opposed to legalization, even though you might argue that legalization would make it easier to report the bad players.

Malarek raises an important issue. But I worry his role as an advocate is tainting his perspective as a journalist.

 

[saliksalik]

I noticed "The Johns" in the bookstore today.

I remember reading "The Natashas" and feeling very troubled by it. There are some terrible stories in the book and it is difficult to learn about those abuses.

The one problem I have with Malarek is that he seems to be convinced that everyone in the sex trade is the victim of sex slavery (my opinion comes from a TV interview I saw him give when he was promoting The Natashas). That is why he is so opposed to legalization, even though you might argue that legalization would make it easier to report the bad players.

Malarek raises an important issue. But I worry his role as an advocate is tainting his perspective as a journalist.

It is interesting that you came by the book. I had to advance order from Book City.

I agree with your analysis that despite being an objective journalist, Malarek appears to have lost his balance in these two books, and has taken an arch conservative approach.

I am for legalization of the profession not just decriminalization.

It is strange that both Holland and Sweden are now taking a hard line approach toward prostitution. That will make it very difficult for the proponents of legalization in Canada.

 

[mandrill]

I read the Natashas by Victor Malarek. I was very alarmed by what I read and I even went to one of his speeches here in Toronto.

He said that he does not think that Canada is a sex slave destination.

From my (many) experiences in Toronto and Montreal, this appears to me to be accurate.

I think that the vast majority of TERB members would, like myself, be the first to call the police if they felt that a woman was an unwilling participant in the sex trade.

Err, Toronto IS a sex slave destination. Wake up. As far as Russian agencies go, the pimps are fairly toothless - at least in this country. And the girls - at least the smarter ones - simply leave and go elsewhere when they learn to speak a little English and figure out how to get by in TO.

Malarek revels in unsourced allegations about the omnipotent, ruthless Mafiya and his writing on this issue seems to be total BS.

This whole topic was done to death on TERB in 2003 together with Malarek-style rants about how all our favourite girls were going to be mutilated or white-slaved to the Middle East in a couple of months time. (Some asshole guys REALLY like making shit up!)

All the girls are still here and they are now out of the business or working for ordinary Canuck outfits.

If you took that Malarek dickhead seriously, all those young ladies would be in shallow graves outside town or walking around with their ears and noses missing.

But didn't happen, folks. Why??!! Cos Malarek is a guy who made a bunch of cash $$$ from bullshitting people and he didn't tell the truth. End of fable.

 

[Chimpanzeethat]

I spoke to Malarek a couple of years back when he was flogging his book at the Ukranian fest in Bloor West Village.

Like most things, I suspect the truth about him, his book and the situation he writes of are not simple and defy easy explanation. I got the impression he has a bit of a white knight complex. Like he's going to single handedly solve the problem. He also struck me as the type who makes up his mind about something, and then looks for the fact to support his viewpoint. Not a good trait in a journalist or scientist.

He made the point that a woman who chooses prostitution is almost by definition abused and incapable of responsibly having made that choice. I'm sorry, I don't buy that. I've met many working girls the world over, and many are smart women who are comfortable with the choice they've made. They should resent a guy like Malarek who takes the stance that they're all victims. And I'd like to see Malarek convince some Bangkok bar girls I know, (active and retired), that they'd be better off in a factory.

 

[mandrill]

It is strange that both Holland and Sweden are now taking a hard line approach toward prostitution. That will make it very difficult for the proponents of legalization in Canada.

Interesting. Germany has legalized it and is accordingly a very fun place for a TERB-ite to visit. (Of course, prostitution is decriminalized in Canada too. It is only certain integral aspects of the business like on-street solicitation or incall joints that are not legal).

I wonder if Europe is still going thru the Feminazi phase that Canada endured in the 80's and early 90's. My guess is that Canadians in Ontario and Quebec would be quite happy to legalize incall places with some licensing controls. On street solicitation will NEVER be legalized in this country for some very good reasons.

 

[naughtylady]

He made the point that a woman who chooses prostitution is almost by definition abused and incapable of responsibly having made that choice. I'm sorry, I don't buy that. I've met many working girls the world over, and many are smart women who are comfortable with the choice they've made. They should resent a guy like Malarek who takes the stance that they're all victims. And I'd like to see Malarek convince some Bangkok bar girls I know, (active and retired), that they'd be better off in a factory.

Uggh! I definitely resent people who want to infantilize me because of the choices I have made. These are the same people who think a woman need the gov't to help her decide if an abortion is the right choice for her, or not!

Journalists like Malarek refuse to see SP like myself and our stories. Even when we meet them and tell them our stories the usual answer is that is not what my research has shown. All stories that go against their preconceived beliefs are discounted or twisted to match their way of thinking.

Ronnie,
Naughtylady

 

[naughtylady]

I am for legalization of the profession not just decriminalization.

It is strange that both Holland and Sweden are now taking a hard line approach toward prostitution. That will make it very difficult for the proponents of legalization in Canada.

I think the fact that New Zealand and Australia have both legalized prostitution would go a long way for the activists fight here in Canada. After all we are all part of the commonwealth, and their laws, (and their problems) were similar to ours before the legal changes were made.

Ronnie,
Naughtylady

 

[enduser1]

Even when we meet them and tell them our stories the usual answer is that is not what my research has shown. All stories that go against their preconceived beliefs are discounted or twisted to match their way of thinking.

Malarek sounds like a George Bush sytle Noecon. If the facts don't suit your reality make up a new reality.

In the Natashas most of the girls were Moldovan and not all of them were clueless. The most ruthless person I saw in the Natashas was an old battleaxe of a woman who sorted out the girls on the ship to Turkey. Titts and a dried up pussy did not make her a decent or compassionate person.

EU