Cross-Gender Massage Will Not Be Allowed in Spa and Massage Centres in Delhi; DCW Chief Swati Maliwal Hopes Decision Will Act As Deterrent to Sex Racket
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Monday approved new stricter guidelines for operation of spa and massage centres, including a provision to ban cross-gender massage, to prevent sexual abuse and trafficking in the national capital.
New Delhi, August 3: Delhi Commission For Women chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday welcomed the ban on cross-gender massage in the national capital by the city government and expressed hope that the move will act as a deterrent to sex racket.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Monday approved new stricter guidelines for operation of spa and massage centres, including a provision to ban cross-gender massage, to prevent sexual abuse and trafficking in the national capital.
"Cross-gender massage shall not be allowed in spa and massage centres. Provision for male masseur for massage of males and female masseur for massage of females shall be made," the guidelines read. Sex Racket Case Busted in UK, 19 Men Arrested For Child Sexual Abuse.
Spas and massage centres are required to strictly adhere to the new guidelines, which completely prohibit "any form of sexual activity on the premises" and employment of people aged below 18 years, to obtain health trade licence.
"We conducted surprise inspections on several massage parlours in Delhi exposing sex rackets therein and submitted recommendations to the government. I am thankful to the Delhi Govt for approving new guidelines banning cross-gender massage in Delhi. This will help curb the menace!" Maliwal tweeted.
Maliwal had earlier flagged irregularities and sexual abuse at spa and massage centres, following which a task force was set up to review her report and take action on it.
Suggestions from the DCW have been incorporated into the guidelines.
According to the new rules, there should be separate sections for men and women in spa centres and these need to be demarcated clearly with "separate entry and no inter-connection". The rules also ban providing spa and massage services behind locked doors.
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