A brothel , bordello , ranch [2] , or whorehouse is a place where people engage in sexual activity with prostitutes. However, for legal or cultural reasons, establishments often describe themselves as massage parlors , bars , strip clubs , body rub parlours, studios, or by some other description. Sex work in a brothel is considered safer than street prostitution. Around the world, attitudes towards prostitution and how and if it should be regulated vary considerably, and have varied over time. Part of the discussion impacts on whether the operation of brothels should be legal, and if so, to what sort of regulations they should be subjected. Some countries not parties to the Convention also ban prostitution or the operation of brothels.

Study objectives: This study examined working conditions, reported morbidity, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD and depression and their relation to an index of occupational health risk among women working in brothels in Israel. Design: Personal structured interviews with a scale of occupational risk that included seven self report items reflecting past and present morbidity and symptoms. Participants and setting: A purposive sample of 55 women in three cities in Israel, between the ages of 18—

Here's a look at five famous madams from around the world who were pioneers in the industry. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Though born a common woman, Elizabeth Cresswell rose up the ranks of social status and became one of the wealthiest independent female brothel owners in 17th century England. Being somewhat protected by King Charles II — since many high ranking court members were patrons of her business — Cresswell had a network of brothels extending throughout Great Britain, which featured a variety of women including some noble women at her customers' disposal. She became so famous that she was a fixture of pop culture and political propaganda during her lifetime.