The Pilgrim st. place was raided due to some of the workers there having expired visas. Also, one girl (long, long since gone) was offering actual sex, so that
might have been an instigating factor in pushing for a raid if they suspected dodgy goings on, as well as it being a place employing illegal immigrants (or however you define someone with an expired visa) but "shutting it down because it's a brothel" wasn't the reason. Because it's not a brothel.
A full body massage is a full body massage. Tantric massage is similar, just involving different techniques, and centered around building up to a phenomenal orgasm. The good masseuses do this, and it's far from a "rub and tug". I've had some of those, and never return to the girls who do this.
It's this prevailing, outdated smutty attitude that perpetuates these places being seen as dodgy, though hopefully that's becoming a thing of the past. Under the circumstances, if a masseuse is asked about a full body massage or tantric massage and she agrees, but at a price, then that's for her to decide.
These establishments are legitimate, otherwise they wouldn't be in business. This is Newcastle, not the red light district in Bangkok.
And if for some reason you're ever being massaged and there is a police raid, you aren't the person they're after. You could well be getting your back waxed, or having hot stone treatment and the same thing might happen.
Personally, if you have any slight hesitations about trafficking etc, Lavenders seem the most legit. The manager is well known in the area as the best masseuse trainer, (in fact, I mentioned her on my first visit to the place on Grainger St. and the girl there turned out to have been trained by her - she didn't offer full body by the way- ) and employs seemingly legitimate girls who study at the university. Obviously there's no 100% guarantee that's true, but the times I've talked to them they certainly seem to be genuine.
In other words go for it.
