The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill aimed at fighting human trafficking in illicit massage businesses across the state. Jo Gray, co-founder of Inman Oasis spa, said that bodywork encompasses a range of therapeutic practices, from energy-based Reiki to the more physical Shiatsu, and that these practices often require different levels of training from massage therapy. A joint investigation this year by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting and WGBH News found that hundreds of erotic massage centers in the state advertised on a Yelp-like website for buyers of commercial sex.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey praised lawmakers for passing the bill that she said would help authorities shut down illicit businesses that serve as a front for human trafficking. The bill was filed by Sen. The bill also seeks to raise awareness about human trafficking by providing training for medical professionals and others who come in contact with victims of human trafficking, she said.
The bill now heads to the House for consideration. Former iterations of this bill have passed the Senate several times with some variations, Riding said. These are people's lives. Search Query Show Search. Sign Out Sign In. Support GBH. All Live Streams. CRB Classical News Local News. Share Email Facebook Twitter. More Local News. How do Mass. We asked them.
