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Still photos, films and videos
 Pre-recorded sexually explicit materials in the internet that are not interactive do not really fit in the present context. They fit the category of pornography rather than that of prostitution. The fact that customers pay for them does not alter that fact. There are some exceptions, but, as a rule, the connection between sexual service and payment is too indirect.
Webcams that are not interactive
 A case can be made that charging for live web cam transmissions of sexual activity fits the definition of prostitution even if they are not interactive. The viewer cannot influence the activity and cannot shape it according to his wishes, but he can make a selection from a wide menu of offers and can choose the one most likely to meet his sexual preferences. He then also pays for the service.
Interactive and communicating webcams
 There are also live web cam transmissions of women who interact with the viewers by following their personal instructions. In some cases, the women even have female and/or male partners with whom they act out what the viewers want to see. These can make their wishes known per e-mail or talk to the women and her partners directly, just as they would in a video conference.
These web cams are often run by self-employed women from their own homes, sometimes with the support of their husbands. However, young, single women also use this opportunity to make money, and indeed, the income can be considerable. There is no doubt, therefore, that we are dealing here with a new form of prostitution. However, it is much less clear what this means in legal, economical, and psychological terms. If prostitution is violence against women, where exactly can it be found and demonstrated in this case? If it is exploitation, who is exploiting whom?
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Internet ad of a sexually explicit webcam service
In order to avoid easy identification, the name has been omitted and the design has been changed.
However, the text is authentic. |
