"Upscale executive seeks beautiful female 18-24 to live in his luxury condo in Coral Gables for $1/month in exchange for some light duties. Help take care of dog, cook occasionally. Sex 2x/week. Serious inquires only. Please e-mail a picture for consideration," states one listing on the Florida section of the popular Web site Craigslist.org.
On the Internet, a simple Google search can discover pornography of every kind. Sex toys can be bought and sold on eBay. Facebook can be used to see if that new friend is looking for "random play."
As the anonymity of the Internet often allows people to shed their inhibitions online, it might not come as a surprise that the Internet is used in sexual contexts. But these ads on Craigslist.org that barter housing for sex may be illegal.
An online classifieds community, users of Craigslist are able to post anything from personal ads to job openings to housing availability. Though the terms of use listed on Craigslist prohibit pornographic material or the "advertisement of illegal services" and threaten termination of service if such policies are violated, the Craigslist staff does not actively police its postings, relying instead on users to tag and report inappropriate or offensive items.
As a result of this user-oriented system, some posters have begun soliciting sex in exchange for rent.
In Atlanta, one ad called for "sex and light office duty" in exchange for a room. Similarly, in New York City, a room is available at a discount to a "fit female" willing to provide sex. Another seeks a "female that likes to be nude. Nothing more expected."
"I think it's disgusting that people are posting things like that," junior Alex Rospos said. "I'd be curious to know if anyone answers them."
In fact, it remains unclear how many people answer the ads or actually succeed in obtaining sex for rent nationally.
According to law enforcement officials, there has been little serious investigation into these postings.
In an interview with the Boston Globe, Paul J. Browne, a deputy police commissioner in New York, said investigators have found that the Craigslist ads are frequently "little more than a form of voyeurism that didn't result in an actual exchange of sex for rent."
According to many Tufts Craigslist users, it is not surprising that such ads have made it to the Internet.
Senior Leigh Simons said that she is "not surprised" that ads like this exist on Craigslist, which she recently used to find an apartment in Washington, D.C.
"I've seen some pretty weird postings," she said.
Senior Hilary Pentz, who lives off-campus, said that if she discovered a landlord was expecting something more in exchange for a room, she would "leave immediately, and report the ad."
"It's pretty tough to tell how sketchy a landlord is ahead of time," Rospos said. "That's why I recommend finding apartments through friends that have already rented them. That way you know what to expect from the landlord."
According to Simons, risks can be avoided if people follow their instincts.
"If people are really concerned about the situation surrounding the type of rental payment, they shouldn't rent the apartment," she said.
The framing of the ad itself should be a warning sign for renters.
"I would probably not follow up on an ad like this because having a nice landlord is a big part of the apartment experience, and sex for rent is a telltale sign of bad one," Rospos said.
Despite their disgust, most students interviewed said that they would not report the ad, but instead just choose not to respond.
Some students said that ads like this cause Craigslist to lose credibility.
"The fact that these ads exist makes it seem like they are condoned by Craigslist, even if it's not the case," Simons said.
Recently, tenants' rights groups have accused Craigslist of failing to meet fair housing requirements.
The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law sued the Web site in February for publishing housing ads that excluded people based on race, religion and sex.
But a 1996 federal law protects Craigslist: Online service providers serving as forums for others' information are legal, regardless of content.
Rospos agreed that Craigslist should remain uncensored, as a medium of free speech.
"I don't think it hurts anyone to post these types [of sexual] ads, even though it might offend some people," Rospos said.
Other students feel differently. Freshman Kevin Dillon said that because prostitution is illegal, Craigslist should not allow such listings.
Rather, it "should hold itself to the same standards" as eBay, which for example doesn't sell firearms, he said.
"It's kind of a gray area," Dillon said. He added that he finds it somewhat funny that people are willing to resort to posting Craigslist ads in order to attain sex.
"But I also find it sad," Dillon said. "It's a bigger reflection on society and how our culture deals with sex."
Regarding matters as important as housing, students need to make responsible decisions for themselves, Simons said.
"As a female, I would never put myself in that sort of situation," she said.
