From Iceland — Erotic Massage In Legal Grey Area

Erotic Massage In Legal Grey Area

Published April 16, 2012

A journalist who ordered an “erotic massage” through a newspaper classified ad says that the legality of such services needs to be determined in court.
DV reports that journalist Sölvi Tryggvason booked time for an erotic massage, which he found advertised in the classifieds section of Fréttablaðið. He described the procedure as such:
“You’re naked, and the lady is, too. She massages you all over with her hands and body. This ends with an orgasm, which is the point of such a massage.”
Sölvi also confirmed that contrary to the popular stereotype, that such services are staffed entirely by foreigners, there are in fact many Icelandic women who give erotic massage.
While erotic massage has been criticised as tantamount to prostitution, with the police getting involved in these ads last year, Sölvi says there is actually no clear ruling on this.
“The lawyers, MPs, and workers at [rape crisis prevention centre] Stígamót that I have spoken to could not definitively answer [whether or not erotic massage is prostitution],” he said. “So I think the matter needs to go to court to settle this.”

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