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12:01am Tuesday 25th March 2008
FAR from dirty, drug-addicted and self-loathing, prostitute Sally sees herself as a "marriage saviour".
Dressed in jogging bottoms, trainers and a fleece top, she looks like a run-of-the-mill mum, in her forties doing her shopping.
Following on from last week's Echo story about the reality of life on the streets for prostitutes, Sally - not her real name - called in to say she wanted to lift the lid on life as a working girl who sells sex from a Southend flat.
Sally has spent the past six years turning tricks to pay the bills. But she doesn't seem to fit the image.
A mum to three adult children, she has regular health checks, keeps an eye out for the safety of the other girls and genuinely cares about her regulars.
She describes herself as a relationship counsellor and a sex therapist rolled into one.
She said: "I love my job because I help people. I save marriages because I help men solve their relationship or sexual problems.
"I'm like the salt and pepper to a marriage - the marriage is the meal and I complete that meal.
"I've told blokes how to go about putting their marriage right and done myself out of business because I never see them again."
Sally's clients are aged 20 to 80 and all have reasons to visit her.
Mostly, she says the 20-year-olds want a sex education and the 30-year-olds want younger girls.
The 40 to 60-year-olds, love their wives, but want a fantasy fulfilled or something extra added to their sex lives, without the hassle of an affair.
The 60-pluses want to reignite their sex life, often because their wife has lost interest or passed away.
Sometimes, her clients have returned from war-zones, have life-threatening illnesses or have even lost limbs.
Sally said: "A wife called me once because her husband had a colostomy bag fitted and while she couldn't have sex with him, she still wanted him to have a sex life.
"It's not always about sex, I might only have sex with four out of ten clients.
"Mostly it is about companionship or building up their confidence.
"I've had grown men cry on my bed before because I have given them back their manhood."
But there are strange requests and the only way Sally says she has coped with the job, is to treat everyone as if their fantasies and fetishes are normal.
Despite being a qualified college lecturer and retail manager, Sally went on the game, when her daughter left for university.
Having escaped from a disastrous marriage and as a single parent, she saw her benefits plummet by £162 per week and turned to escorting out of desperation.
She said: "I didn't know where my next penny was coming from.
"I could only get part-time work, so I rang an advert and had an interview."
Sally's first time was nerve-racking, but the other girls were on hand for her return, making her a cup of coffee and asking her how it was.
She said: "We are like a big family, the working girls, the street girls and the escorts - we all look out for each other.
"There are tricks of the trade and you learn to do a job without it intruding on your personal life.You become two different people."
She quit escorting after a year, describing it as "pimping" as the girls have to carry out every service offered by the agency, despite personal preferences.
She said: "You don't want to lose your job, so you go along with it. "Sometimes there would be up to ten customers in an evening, and you would go from one to the next, without even having time in-between for a wash."
Sally began calling around flats in London and Southend, looking for work.
"There's a trust between the girls who work in the flats", she said.
"If we get a dodgy customer, we call other flats to let them know what's happened.
"Even though we're independent, we're looking out for each other."
Sally says the motivation behind all of the girls in the flats, is to support their family, elderly parents or university-bound children.
She said: "Unlike the girls on the streets, the girls working in the flats don't have drugs problems.
"For girls in the flats it's about more than just the money, it's like a relationship service.
"People think what we do is seedy, but it's not.
"We are saving marriages because we are stopping men from going out and having affairs."
JJ, says...
7:36am Tue 25 Mar 08
ian, colchester says...
7:55am Tue 25 Mar 08
Kat, Grays says...
8:12am Tue 25 Mar 08
Nick BURTON, Southend says...
8:35am Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti, South Africa says...
8:37am Tue 25 Mar 08
Biffo123, Wickford says...
8:54am Tue 25 Mar 08
kat, Grays says...
9:04am Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti, South Africa says...
9:18am Tue 25 Mar 08
ian, colchester says...
9:25am Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry, At work :( says...
10:35am Tue 25 Mar 08
Biffo123 wrote:"All women demand some kind of payment for sex"
Whore maybe, human being, definitely. Sally's situation seems to have been desperate, and impelled some kind of action. It is not what many choose, but at least she did something. All women demand some kind of payment for sex (darling, I need a new dress...) and all men pay for it in some way. At least this method is straightforward and somehow honest. Give the lass a break.
Mark Crosby, Pitsea, Basildon says...
11:02am Tue 25 Mar 08
Mark Crosby, Pitsea, Basildon says...
11:08am Tue 25 Mar 08
Emma, 266-263 says...
11:35am Tue 25 Mar 08
ian, colchester says...
11:54am Tue 25 Mar 08
Emma, says...
12:14pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Dave, Canvey says...
12:18pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Emma, says...
12:23pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Kat, Grays says...
12:40pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti, South Africa says...
12:41pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry, At work :( says...
12:57pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti wrote:I think Emma is a man, no woman would write this, "all you demanding girlfriends and wifes eventually make your other halves pay for it, be it in clothes, attention, time, or any other way"
Sorry Ian, you must be one of the FEW men who disagree with this 'job' - and as for you Emma, i take you a wh@re too - and if not, then a POTENTIAL one.. ciao
Emma, says...
1:00pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti, South Africa says...
1:06pm Tue 25 Mar 08
kat, grays says...
1:18pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Citizen 139, says...
1:22pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti, Sunny South Africa says...
1:26pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Emma, says...
1:27pm Tue 25 Mar 08
kat, grays says...
1:31pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry wrote:Mmmm Sherry...yes maybe the VAT man !!!
Nicola Carletti wrote: Sorry Ian, you must be one of the FEW men who disagree with this \'job\' - and as for you Emma, i take you a wh@re too - and if not, then a POTENTIAL one.. ciaoI think Emma is a man, no woman would write this, \"all you demanding girlfriends and wifes eventually make your other halves pay for it, be it in clothes, attention, time, or any other way\" That\'s terrible :(
Nicola Carletti, Sunny South Africa says...
1:41pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola Carletti, South Africa says...
1:46pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Kat, Grays says...
2:13pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Emma wrote:As said previously Emma I myself have dealings with the Social Security and the Inland Revenue regarding tax, self employed status, and vat issues etc.. No I don't and neither would wish to have dealings with regard to prostitutes or should i say sex therapists.......You amaze me as a woman that actually works and pays tax. Or don't you pay tax...Why do you have the need to advertise the fact that your life is so called perfect that was never the issue...I could say the same but I don't need to advertise the fact...
Kat, yes if you read my ealier posts you would of realised that I work in the public sector and have close dealings with the Revenue. Hence I know this information, in addition to the lady I know who works as an escort. Unless you work in that specific industry or have dealings with the revenue regarding this issue, how would you know Kat? And in regards to using my quote back at me, you may find that my posts were neither bitter, not twisted, but factual and informative. So I am led to believe that your grasp on the English language is either not very good or you are clutching at straws in order to issue some sort of insult to me. YOu failed miserably, and I am only led to wonder why you are so appear to have taking this disccssion so seriously and quite frankly reacted rather in a way which indicates it has struck a nerve within you. Your personal issues with working ladies are not at question here. We were discussing whethere it is appropriate or not, and dispelling some of the ill founded myths and ideas ignorant people seem to cling onto.
Emma, says...
2:33pm Tue 25 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
2:58pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry wrote:Or just in a robe....! :)
Biffo123 wrote: Whore maybe, human being, definitely. Sally's situation seems to have been desperate, and impelled some kind of action. It is not what many choose, but at least she did something. All women demand some kind of payment for sex (darling, I need a new dress...) and all men pay for it in some way. At least this method is straightforward and somehow honest. Give the lass a break."All women demand some kind of payment for sex" OMG, i can't believe you wrote that, and it doesn't really say much for you does it. I take it you have never been in a true loving relationship. If i wanted a dress i'd go out and buy it, i wouldn't have to spread my legs for it, or rely on some lecher like you to get it for me. EEW, I'd rather be naked!
Andy, Grays says...
3:02pm Tue 25 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
3:06pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Andy, Grays says...
3:35pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Partyboy, Saarfend says...
4:01pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry wrote:It is terrible, But I bet some women do use sex as an advantage. Im sure Heather Mills would be a prime example of this. (Please dont sue me Heather)
Nicola Carletti wrote: Sorry Ian, you must be one of the FEW men who disagree with this 'job' - and as for you Emma, i take you a wh@re too - and if not, then a POTENTIAL one.. ciaoI think Emma is a man, no woman would write this, "all you demanding girlfriends and wifes eventually make your other halves pay for it, be it in clothes, attention, time, or any other way" That's terrible :(
the undertaker, crays hill says...
4:57pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry, At work :( says...
5:00pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Andy wrote:Oldies are always the best, i love them, and they cheer me up! Trouble is, EVERY time i put the washing in i think of one of his jokes now ;)
Undertaker, an oldie but a goodie!!!
Partyboy, Saarfend says...
5:03pm Tue 25 Mar 08
the undertaker wrote:Outside court the paparazzi approach Sir Paul 'Sir Paul, Would you ever go down on one knee again?' they asked.
She would'nt have a leg to stand on...!
Sherry, At work :( says...
5:05pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Partyboy wrote:lol, you two are terrible :)
the undertaker wrote: She would'nt have a leg to stand on...!Outside court the paparazzi approach Sir Paul 'Sir Paul, Would you ever go down on one knee again?' they asked. 'Definitely not!' replied Sir Paul. 'And I would prefer it if you called her Heather!!!'
steeve, southend says...
5:26pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola, SA says...
5:34pm Tue 25 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
5:38pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Partyboy wrote:Paul mcartney came home one xmas and shouted to heather, " i have bought you a plane for xmas" she replied; i cant fly .
the undertaker wrote: She would'nt have a leg to stand on...!Outside court the paparazzi approach Sir Paul 'Sir Paul, Would you ever go down on one knee again?' they asked. 'Definitely not!' replied Sir Paul. 'And I would prefer it if you called her Heather!!!'
the undertaker, crays hill says...
5:41pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry wrote:I clip my nails....!:)
Andy wrote: Undertaker, an oldie but a goodie!!!Oldies are always the best, i love them, and they cheer me up! Trouble is, EVERY time i put the washing in i think of one of his jokes now ;)
Sherry, At work :( says...
5:45pm Tue 25 Mar 08
the undertaker wrote:Oh why don't you two work with me?, i could swap you for Dr Bunsen Honeydew and The Great Gonzo :)
Partyboy wrote:Paul mcartney came home one xmas and shouted to heather, " i have bought you a plane for xmas" she replied; i cant fly . I know that he said , its to smooth your leg.the undertaker wrote: She would'nt have a leg to stand on...!Outside court the paparazzi approach Sir Paul 'Sir Paul, Would you ever go down on one knee again?' they asked. 'Definitely not!' replied Sir Paul. 'And I would prefer it if you called her Heather!!!'
Citizen 139, says...
6:48pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola wrote:Can anyone translate this please? I really don't understand chav talk.
Oh Local Boy, Oh Local Boy... wot u a LOCAL of - SOUTHEND FLATS... lmao!
Andy, Grays says...
7:10pm Tue 25 Mar 08
steeve wrote:I think steeve that you'll find that no one is being judgemental it is the fact that this journalist has made what she does out to be some sort of public service, which it isn't. What it is is seedy the other point is which gets most normal working peoples goat is that she does what she does maybe claims maybe doesn't but what she doesn't do is pay tax. Registered as self employed?? Do me a favour!!!...Are you a punter by any chance?
Live and let live!! how judgemental so many comments are this womans life is hers and is she actually setting out to do harm??? what does her life mean to her this is the phenomenological reasons that she has the values that she does why impose on her these judgemental views??
Nicola, SA says...
7:12pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola, SA says...
7:14pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Kat, Grays says...
7:32pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola, SA says...
8:03pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Andy, Grays says...
8:12pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Nicola, SA says...
8:18pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sheena Alexander, essex says...
8:53pm Tue 25 Mar 08
steve, says...
9:13pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sherry wrote:It's a pity more girls don't think like you Sherry.
Biffo123 wrote: Whore maybe, human being, definitely. Sally's situation seems to have been desperate, and impelled some kind of action. It is not what many choose, but at least she did something. All women demand some kind of payment for sex (darling, I need a new dress...) and all men pay for it in some way. At least this method is straightforward and somehow honest. Give the lass a break."All women demand some kind of payment for sex" OMG, i can't believe you wrote that, and it doesn't really say much for you does it. I take it you have never been in a true loving relationship. If i wanted a dress i'd go out and buy it, i wouldn't have to spread my legs for it, or rely on some lecher like you to get it for me. EEW, I'd rather be naked!
Arthur Bollockacke, says...
Jayne, Benfleet says...
12:07am Tue 25 Mar 08