Massage workers sue former boss for sexual harassment and assault Read more: http://
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PASADENA - A women's health expert said a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three female massage parlor workers highlights some of the issues faced by older Asian women entering the workforce.
The women, who worked at Oriental Massage on North Allen Avenue in Pasadena, filed the suit in April. They seek unspecified damages.
"I want other people who have been in the same situation to know it's OK to speak up," said Shu Li Yang, 49, of Rowland Heights, one of the plaintiffs. "Because people before me hadn't said anything, I didn't know where to go."
Fiona Ao of the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team said the suit only scratches the surface of the underground economy often associated with massage parlors.
"The massage parlor industry is highly stigmatized," Ao said. "Many people associate it with sex work. Women are ashamed to say they work in a massage parlor."
Yang is one of three former Oriental Massage employees who filed suit against their former employer alleging sexual harassment and assault.
The case is scheduled for a pretrial conference in Pasadena Superior Court in November, according to court documents.
The defendant in the case, Tai Chang Du, the owner of Oriental Massage, declined to comment.
In April, Du told Chinese-language newspaper the World Journal that the allegations are false.
Court documents submitted by Du's lawyer Steve Luan claim Yang was fired for disobedience.
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But in her suit, Yang claims she was assaulted physically and sexually, fondled and battered. Yang and her co-plaintiffs, Mei Ying Lu, 52, of San Gabriel and Fei Zhao, 43, of Arcadia, also claim other female employees were similarly assaulted.
The suit alleges that Yang contacted the Pasadena Police Department after a physical assault. No charges were filed, and officers dispatched to the scene indicated the matter had been resolved, according to Pasadena police spokeswoman Janet Pope Givens.
The lawsuit claims that a pervasive atmosphere of harassment exists at the massage parlor.
Yang alleges her boss would grope and fondle her "breasts and buttocks." The lawsuit also says the owner would touch other employees in front of each other and force them to massage him for free.
"I'd see the other women being groped, but I didn't want to say anything, I didn't know who to go to and I don't know English," Yang said. "If he hadn't hit me, I wouldn't have said anything."
Ao acknowledged it was difficult for the women to come forward.
"I was surprised they spoke up, because really these women don't know their rights," Ao said. "They can work 10 to 12 hours a day and barely make enough money."
Immigrant Chinese women, especially older ones, have trouble finding jobs and often turn to massage parlors for work, Ao said.
Whether or not Yang's claims are true, said Ao, they highlight the need for outreach by the community and authorities.
"I don't think the police know enough about this issue to deal with these women," Ao said. "The language barrier is definitely an issue, and the fact (massage parlor workers) don't know how the system works will prevent them from seeking help."
Yang said her age and limited English kept her from pursuing another job.
"I'm in my 40s. I was scared I wouldn't be able to find a job ... a lot of the massage owners talk to each other, so I was afraid no one else would hire me," Yang said. "In the Asian culture it's also very shameful to speak up about this matter."
Yang said she went to the Pasadena police station four times before filing a report in late March. Yang said she initially had problems filing a report because no one was available to translate.
City officials said translation services are available at the police desk and aren't sure what transpired.
"We don't know whether she came in or not," city spokeswoman Ann Erdman said.
Read more: [url]http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_16113661#ixzz10BNsSAc2[/url]
First post with my 2 cents (or make that 6 cents)
Been a long time lurker of threads like these, thought I'd post my notes on some of the places already mentioned here.
1) Place on Walnut: Apparently legit. Asked for extra time, was told point blank 'you can have more time, but, this is a professional massage only'. I changed my mind.
2) Place on S. Fair Oaks. Contrary to prevailing opinion, you can get HE. PM if you want 'good' names. I can also tell you who to avoid. There are a few cock teases there, so, it's a little frustrating. Since I like variety, I try to get a different girl each time.
3) Place on Fremont in S. Pasadena, next to KFC. Garbage. Complete cock tease, no HE at all. I fail to understand why they continually post ads in backpage (and craigslist when adult section existed). Don't get me wrong, nice massage, but, I really was expecting more, especially considering how close she came to little' Elbango and the daily ad's they run with the pretty girls. But, at the end she wouldn't (or in her case she said she couldn't) 'help me out'. Had to help myself out into a bunch of her tissues when she left the room.
Actually, perhaps I'm being a little to hard on them, I mean the girl was nice, but. Again it's just the frustration of trying to understand why they advertise in a forum that is a predominantly monger audience, and yet, fail to deliver the product we would be expecting. Makes it worse when they're using photo's of nice young girls in provocative clothing in their ads.
Ok, enough about this place. Bottom line, If you aren't prepared to finish yourself, you're going to walk out like a penguin.
4) Place on Allen: If you can tolerate the creepy old guy at the front desk, pretty damn good place actually. Got an awesome 20 something year old girl. Great ass, flat stomach, nice be cup. And inexpensive too. Creepy old guy said it was $60 for the hour, bargained him down to $50, and never saw him again. Nice young girl gave a great massage and after the flip she didn't waste any time on working my inner thigh. Every time I came near her hands she slowed down, and ultimately was just waiting for me to guide them to where they needed to be. Pretty quickly started stroking without much direction, and was quite receptive to me sitting up and undressing her. Only disappointment was she wouldn't allow FS. Allowed me to finger her, suck on her breasts while she stroked me where it counts, but, no FS. Perhaps I should have been more prepared and brought a condom. Nonetheless, gave her a great tip, she deserves it. Since, I want to see her again PM for name. I don't want her to get in trouble.
5) Place in Eagle Rock on Colorado (near vons). Strange place. Definite HE, but, just a strange place. Only been there once. Begins with me walking through back parking lot. Older black gentleman approaches and asks if I'm here for the 'clinic'. Not really sure what to answer, so I say 'yep'. Then tells me, ok, I'll call ahead and let them know you're coming. 'ok, thanks! ' (I guess).
Get into the place, older woman (nothing like the pictures in the ads on craigslist at the time) probably in mid 40's. Don't get me wrong, decent body, but, again nothing like what they're advertising on craigslist. Gives me probably 20 minutes of the most underwhelming massage I've ever had, but, since I walked in there horny, I was nonetheless hard on the flip, she noticed and offered to help. For $50. Unfortunately this is 'just' for the HE. YIKES! No feeling up allowed, no FS, no CBJ (forget about BBBJ) , nothing else but a $50 HJ. Not interested. But she starts stroking anyway, and says she'll do it for $20, but, still I'm still not allowed to touch. Well ok. I pay her, and away she goes. Pretty good HJ actually; she get's out the hot lotion, and uses two hands (one hand on the shaft, the other on the balls). Ultimately I couldn't obey the rules and was feeling between her legs anyway. I 'finished' pretty quickly.
6) Body Healing Centers: Don't know what I was thinking. Both locations completely legit. I think I was suckered in by the $45 / hr before 12:30 noon deal. Decent massage. No hint / tease / indication, or anything at all that you're going to get anything other than a massage. But, pretty good massage for $45. At least with these guys they're not advertising in backpage or any adult paper, so, I really can't fault them.
Overall I've tried a few place in the area. Definite hit-or-miss, even within the establishment itself. I actually enjoy visiting new places, and don't mind spending the $50 for an hour (assuming of course that the massage itself is any good. In the worst, it's a good massage).
I next plan to visit one of the two places (eventually both) on York blvd near Fig that I constantly see advertised on backpage. Would appreciate any information on what might make either visit a more satisfying experience.
On Rosemead across the street from the furnture store
Hey Guys. Been a long time. Anyways I tried the place on Rosemead across the street from the furniture store. This is a basically a small room on the 2nd floor. I've been watching this place since I had a hard time getting an appointment. Based on that I figured there had to be extras to be had.
Well I was mistaken. While the girl was OK, the massage sucked, and there was nothing at the end. I tried tempting her with money, but no dice. Save your money.
This wasn't the way I wanted to return to the hobby, but win some, lose some.