Victorian authorities crack down on PCA advertising

It seems that Consumer Affairs in Victoria is cracking down on PCA advertising and sending infringement notices to PCA holders. At least two service providers in Melbourne have received letters in the postbox, and it is confirmed that one provider has heard the words "summons" and "court". Scary stuff, to say the least.

It seems odd that Consumer Affairs has only recently started to regulate PCA advertising, or perhaps they've only just obtained the resources and go-ahead to attempt to regulate the internet. Apparently, they have a person checking up on the profiles of Melbourne escorts on all the internet escort directories, Australian AND international. Of course, personal websites of independent escorts will definitely be covered in the sweep.

The most likely infringements will be relating to photos. Victoria's Prostitution Control Act (PCA) mandates that all photos used in advertising may only show head and shoulders. This is considered draconian by some, and unreasonable by others, and puts Victorian service providers at a distinct disadvantage compared to their peers elsewhere in Australia. So much so that it is occasionally flouted from time to time, especially on international escort directories which were thought to be out of reach of Victorian authorities.

Perhaps not anymore.