Is it illegal to post a website or Facebook page blacklisting certain clients to give other therapists a heads up?

Since I moved to a bigger city and started doing more advertising on Craigslist (I know CL attracts a lot of creepers but I have got a lot of good clients out of it, too) I've received a lot of inquiries about happy endings, extras, etc. some of which occur in the massage room. Fortunately, most people check beforehand to see what you do and don't do, and if you just do professional massage they don't bother with you. But some slip through the cracks.

I rent a room in a medical building with another therapist and often we get the same clients so we compare notes. Is there anything wrong or slanderous about posting a website with the names and MO of the clients who are looking for sexual favors so we can avoid them? Something like a www.dontdatehimgirl.com but only for massage therapists?

Thank you in advance.

As an attorney I worked for said, never put in print something you would not printed on the front page of the local newspaper.

Yes, there is something wrong or slanderous about you ACCUSING AND PRINTING the name of someone you say asked you for sexual favors. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty - unless they happen to come across you.

You print the names of clients, and you are liable to get a civil lawsuit, and also lose your massage license.

Imagine this: One of your clients puts on his Facebook: One of your clients puts in print something slanderous about you - whether it is true or not.

This is a prime example of how ridiculous the justice system is.

A man can expose himself, start touching himself, even grab you during a treatment but God forbid you give other therapists a heads up so it doesn't happen to them (or worse). A fellow therapist was almost raped during a massage so her clinic is like Fort Knox now - new clients must show photo ID through the glass door before entering. She does this because her potential rapist provided fake information on the intake sheet.

The problem, Mary, is that no one is going to prove these people guilty or innocent. It is your word against theirs. There are several shady "massage parlors" all over my city but the police are simply too busy to try to shake them down. So certain people get the idea that this kind of behavior is acceptable everywhere.

I've had people slander me - on Facebook and Myspace simply for ending the massage when they started acting inappropriately. And there isn't a thing I can do about it, other than to take comfort in the fact that most decent people consider the source. It's almost like a personal insult that I wasn't willing to service them and they lashed out like teenage girls.

I also worked for a lawyer for several years but could not stomach the whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing. There is being politically correct and there is being smart. I'm sure you'd feel the same if some perv tried funny stuff with therapists you know and they said nothing, than came to you and ended up assaulting you?

I did a little searching and found there is indeed a site for situations like this. It also includes a disclaimer:

FREE SPEECH FREE SPEECH A Constitutionally Protected Right

1997 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that speech on the Internet receives the highest level of First Amendment protection. The Supreme Court explained that our cases provide no basis for qualifying the level of First Amendment scrutiny that should be applied to this medium, meaning the internet.

2003 - The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that "gripe sites" devoted to complaints about people or businesses were afforded First Amendment protection.

The ACLU said. "Consumer criticism and commentary has long been recognized as core protected speech. In the context of cyberspace, that right does not diminish, in fact, it expands."

Why dont you just add part of your consent form on the CL site where you advertise? You know, the ethics part as to what the client should expect and what happens should they attempt any unwanted acts. That simple, problem solved.

I do, but people still try. All they are looking at on the ad is the phone number. I have my hours and prices listed and I can't tell you how many people call and ask what times I work and what do I charge even though it was right in front of them.

One time I got frustrated and asked a caller inquiring about sensual massage why he would ask about such a thing when I clearly stated I did not do that. He responded that most ads are like that, they cannot come out and say they do "extras" so you just have to ask...

As for myself, Id never advertise on CL.... just look at the percentage of other ads posted there by massage therapists. First off, half dont even have a license number to show creds and at the same time those that dont are not licensed. Be honest with yourself and think of the first reaction that comes to mind when you think " advertising massage on craigslist ". Youre better off making a website, fliers and going door to door and apartments. It will cut half of that nonsense out.

I do have a website, hand out flyers, etc. I do trade shows, fundraisers and advertise in the civic league papers. It is just me so I don't have a whole lot of money to advertise, and like I said, I have got a lot of good clients through CL. I have to make my rent every month so unfortunately I rely on CL to bring in some business. They are not all bad - about 50/50.

Shannon, aside from the Disclaimer, I would also have a two-minute chat with a new client, advising them that although you advertise on craigslist, you are in no way providing sexual services, and should they attempt such, you will end the massage immediately, and ask them if they understand. They give them the Disclaimer, have them read it and sign it. If they sign it, then take them in the room for a massage. That should help.

That's good advice. I try to establish that on the phone, when they initially book the appointment but I think some of these people try so many different therapists they get mixed up with who they've contacted and what they do and don't do so they don't always remember. So it probably wouldn't hurt to review with them.

You don't know what a relief it is when someone calls and asks if I am a legitimate therapist and then books with me!

Two of my posts didn't post. Make a Disclaimer advising them you are not providing sexual services and should they start anything you will end the massage immediately and they will not get their money back.

I think it's good to have some kind of warning for massage therapists. One of our employees did an outcall one night and didn't worry about charging up front because he had been a good repeat customer. When the session had ended, he asked her to take her clothes off. When she refused, he said he wasn't paying her. And he didn't either. We contacted the sheriff's office and there is absolutely nothing we can do about the situation. The only thing we can hope to do is to help other massage therapists not find themselves in a similar situation.

What a creep! I make a point of never doing outcalls, and never allowing anyone in our home for that very reason. That guy had probably been planning that little escapade for a while. And you're right - there is nothing anyone can do. It's your word against theirs. I guess this good repeat customer won't be coming back to your center!

I have two seperate experiences with CL. One I worked for someone else that advertised there, and I have myself. And like you said when she was advertising on CL it was about 50/50 and you get the good clients that make you think, well it's not all bad. I have been advertising my private practice on CL for 9 months and have only had 1 client say something inapropriate. This is what I do: I don't have any signs or plaques or anywhere on my website asking for tips or saying that there are "services" I don't provide. Posting anything that says that cheapens the look of your office and makes people think you are asked that a lot. I do however say Licensed Massage Therapist. Some people don't know what LMT means so spelling it out helps. I always wear black slacks to massage with a polo shirt that has the name of my buisness embroidered on it, so clients know that my business is professional as soon as they see me. And don't post a picture of yourself on CL I know it seems like you should because everyone else does, but if someone is on there looking for legitimate massage they don't care what color your hair is. If you implement those changes I think you will see a difference in the clients who call you.

Utah, that is very good advice.

I've since relocated to a chiropractor/massage center where I rent a room. The creepers have dwindled away to almost nothing. I've got a very good clientele. On the odd occasion I have someone who is a little odd - for instance, this older man came to see me and became irate at the fact I wouldn't massage him with only a hand towel covering him. In my experience, guys who only want to be draped with a hand towel are bad news. He stormed out so at worst I was out travel time and prep time for this guy.