Here is a factual, objective article about escort services:
Escort services involve the provision of companionship or sexual services by an escort in exchange for payment or other compensation. Escorts are typically independent sex workers, though some work through escort agencies. Services offered may include companionship, intimate conversation, non-sexual services, and sometimes sexual activity.
The legal status of escort services varies widely from country to country. In some places, escort services and prostitution are legal and regulated. In others, they are illegal or operate in a legal grey area. Even where prostitution is illegal, escort services may be tolerated because of the more ambiguous nature of the encounter.
Escorts often advertise online and screen potential clients before meeting in person. Many conduct their business independently, while others work through an agency that handles advertising, scheduling, and other logistics in exchange for a percentage of earnings.
There are many health and safety risks associated with sex work, including potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections, violence from clients, and legal risks in jurisdictions where the work is criminalized. Sex worker advocacy groups often work to improve safety conditions and fight for decriminalization.
The escort industry is part of the broader commercial sex industry that also includes prostitution, pornography, stripping, and other erotic services. It is difficult to get accurate statistics on the prevalence of escort services due to the often covert nature of the work.
In summary, while prevalent around the world, escort services operate under widely varying legal and social conditions. The work carries many risks, and the legal status remains controversial.