The Erotic Review
| Web address |
theeroticreview |
|---|---|
Type of site | Pornographic |
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Treehouse Park, S.A. |
| Launched | 1999 |
Alexa rank | 8,296 (as of July 2013)[1] |
| Current status | Active |
The Erotic Review, also known as TheEroticReview.com, is a review site that allows customers to rate their experiences with sex workers (referred to as "providers" on the website).[2][3] The service was first launched in 1999 by David Elms, who came up with the idea after having a bad encounter with a call girl.[4] In a 2008 article with the River Front Times, Elms commented that the average site user was "between 35 and 55 years old with a median income of $80,000".[4] The site was acquired by Treehouse Park in 2004 and hosts reviews for over 90 cities around the world.[5][6]
The popularity of the site may be attributed, in part, to providing a functioning real time marketplace for sex workers and consumers of sexual services. The site provides regional discussion boards, ad boards, general discussion boards, communication channels, contact information, pricing, and performance reviews written by members. The servers for the site are located outside the USA providing a vague measure of security to participants. Members are generally aware that law enforcement organizations (LEO) certainly monitor the site but enormity of the market creates practical problems for LEO who members believe mostly concentrate on underage trafficking, a practice strictly prohibited on the site. Other sexual service ad sites like Backpage and Craigslist, who pioneered the advertising side of sex work, are no longer permitted as ad references on The Erotic Review, in part, because of the notorious, unsafe, and unsubstantiated nature of participants on those sites.
Features
The site offers both a free and paid membership. Free members can access site features such as the discussion boards and a limited search function. Paid members have additional features such as the ability to access complete reviews and a search page that allows the user to search based on various criteria such as physical attributes.
Criticism
The site has been met with criticism, most of which centered upon its founder.[7] Some critics have claimed that Elms has accepted bribes to promote certain agencies or call girls and has pressured others into providing sexual favors.[8] Others have made claims of Elms threatening them with bodily harm for criticizing the site or refusing to provide sexual services.[9][10] Elms denied the claims.[11] Others have expressed frustration over the company's association with law enforcement, stating that the site should alert escorts or users if someone is a police officer.[12]
The Erotic Review distanced itself from Elms in 2009 and cut ties with him after an arrest in Phoenix that same year.[8]
References
- ↑ "Global Alexa Ranking". Alexa. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ "Johns’ Night Out". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ↑ "A consumer guide to prostitutes is a click away". MSNBC. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- 1 2 "OldestProfession2.0: A new generation of local "providers" and "hobbyists" create a virtual red-light district". River Front Times. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ↑ Duncan, Edward. "Troubled Elms Leaves Erotic Review". AVN. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ Madrigal, Alexis. "Johns Help Each Other Find the Right 'Internet Sex Provider'". Wired. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ Grant, Melissa Gira. "Online critics accuse TheEroticReview.com CEO Dave Elms of rape". Gawker. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- 1 2 Richtel, Matt (March 4, 2009). "Prostitution Site Cuts Ties With Founder After Charges". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ Bergen, Jennifer. "Prostitution Review Site Breaks Up with Founder". PC Mag. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ Nix, Denise. "Prostitution king sought". Daily Breeze. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ Richtel, Matt (June 17, 2008). "Sex Trade Monitors a Key Figure’s Woes". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Several comfortable steps ahead of the law". MSNBC. Retrieved 2010-04-10.