not a trip report but a response to a lingering question
[QUOTE=SlimHoleDrill]This certainly was the case but I understand that a recent court ruling may change this. As I understand it, the ruling was that taking advantage or abuse meant that the person was forced into the acts. So, this would not apply to the Termas situations, thus not making them illegal. Here is the link to the Oct.2, 2009 article:
[url]http://oglobo.globo.com/pais/mat/2009/10/02/para-procuradora-lei-tirou-bordeis-da-ilegalidade-no-brasil-767879223.asp[/url]
Basically, it is a new law (lei 12.015 from 7/8/09) that just was interpreted in a court case. If you google "lei 12.015" you'll find a lot of stuff.
If it turns out that way, it would be great as it could create more competition. However, this being Brasil, I wouldn't bet on what the outcome will be.[/QUOTE]
I am not sure this law will change why thermas are on "shaky" grounds. The new ruling deals with the issue of forcing a person into prostitution, which is always illegal. The problem thermas have is that they make money off the sexual services of others. In Brazil, and the US for that matter, it does not matter whether the prostitute is forced into the life or not, but the act of living off the earnings of a prositute (pimping or pandering) is always 100% illegal.
I think some others may have tried to make this point already. The problem for thermas is that they have to always deal with the "pandering" issue.
Anytime a politician wants to make the news he or she can go in and bust some people and then shout "explotiation!"
And that is what has been happening.
TJ