Prostitutes Oakland

Oakland’s International Boulevard, particularly an area known as The Blade, is a well-documented hotspot for street prostitution and suspected sex trafficking. Residents in nearby neighborhoods have repeatedly demanded action from the city, citing open solicitation and related criminal activity impacting their communities. The Oakland Sex Guide and similar platforms list locations like brothels, massage parlors, and sex shops, including establishments such as Garden of Eden, Condor, and Power Exchange. Websites like MegaPersonals and Escort Babylon function as classified directories for connecting with escorts.

OPD Scandals and Worker Dangers

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) has faced significant scandals linked to this issue. Multiple investigations have revealed allegations of corruption, including officers tipping off sex workers about stings in exchange for sex, involvement with underage prostitution, and a near $1 million settlement paid to a teenager allegedly exploited by officers. Testimony from sex workers, like that featured in Soft White Underbelly interviews (e.g., Nicki, Cambodia, Honey), and other reports describe a dangerous environment where workers face violence, including a man pleading no contest to violently attacking three individuals.

Community Responses and Online Presence

Community pressure led to measures like installing street barriers in affected neighborhoods to deter activity, though their effectiveness and impact are debated. The city has also sued hotels, including the Quality Inn, alleging they facilitated prostitution by allowing it to occur openly on their premises. Despite these efforts, open prostitution persists, fueling ongoing outrage. Virtual tours and documentaries frequently highlight the visible sex trade along International Boulevard. Online directories, such as Eros Guide, Skip the Games, and ListCrawler, list hundreds of escorts in Oakland, offering various services with prices, ages, and locations. Names like Valentina Urdaneta and services like Oakland Blissful Somatic Touch Massage Latina appear in these listings. Platforms like Pvssy and 2backpage position themselves as alternatives for finding East Bay escorts.

*TAGS* – The Blade prostitution, OPD corruption scandal, Oakland escort directories