WARNING Adults Only!
Walking into an adult store for the very first time, I was confident in knowing I was mature enough and of the right age to be walking into the incredible and eye opening experience that is an adult lifestyle store. Yes I had to wait the 18 years to be legally allowed to experience all that is the wonderful world stores for adults only but it was all worth it.
Although at the tender age of 16 or 17 I felt as though I was mature enough to take the trip into a “sex shop” and maybe even think once or twice about “sneaking in” to a shop just to get a glimpse of the very restricted world of adult sex toy shopping and whatever other wonderful and crazy things were hiding behind that big light up sign that read ‘18+ RESTRICTED PREMISES!’
Does Anyone Really Think About The Consequences Of Walking Through Those Mysterious Doors?
From the perspective of the person thinking of walking into a restricted premise well knowing that I was not of the legal age and thinking nothing of it, because how could that really affect me? To being on the other side of the door well knowing the consequences my lapse of judgement could cause a company and the thousands of dollars it would cost in damages.
Looking back, I am so grateful that I never put an employee of an adult store in jeopardy of losing their jobs or even causing their company to be fined if I had successfully walked into a adult store underage and been caught. Rules and laws for restricted premises are put in place for good reason and now being really mature enough to understand this I feel as though it is important to share the message with others from a real persons perspective who has both points of view.
One Of The First Rules I Learned
One of the first rules we learn as an employee of an adult store is the responsibility we now have to our company and the law to abide by what is right and how to approach situations that we feel might be putting us at risk of breaching those rules.
Under age entrance is strictly prohibited when it comes to entering an adult store or sex shop. This is the law throughout Australia and if breached can cause extensive damage to the company at fault not only by means of an extensive fine up to $20,000 but can cause damage to the reputation of the company itself.
A direct quote from ALRC. Gov on Restricting Access to Adult Content
10.2.
“ ‘Adult content’ is media content that has been classified R 18+ or X 18+ and media content that would be likely to be classified R18+ or X18+. These classifications are high thresholds, but when the thresholds are met, the content should be restricted to adults—whether the content is a feature film, a film clip, a computer game, a magazine, a website, or any other type of media content distributed to the public.
Although restricting access to this content presents difficulties online, those who provide this content should have some obligation to try to warn potential viewers and help prevent minors from accessing it, irrespective of the platform used to deliver the content.”
What Are The Responsibilities Required?
When committing to a business such as an adult lifestyle centre, the owners of the business must take on huge responsibility not only as business owners but as people who have to put great trust into employees to uphold the standards of the law and respect that they are representing a company and their actions reflect directly on that company and the people who own it. As an employee working in an adult lifestyle centre this is a big responsibility to uphold but you must do it, out of respect and most importantly because it is the law.
When you are approached with a situation you may feel is not quite right. For example, a young looking person has entered your store and you immediately think “is this person underage?”, you have every right as a responsible adult and entrusted employee to approach any person regardless of gender or race and ask for identification to confirm they are of legal age before entering your premises.
If this person refuses to produce identification or has produced it and is underage, you are under strict guidelines to abide by the law and ask said person to leave the premises immediately or if your judgement is that the person does not appear to be of age but refuses to produce identification, again you have full control to ask that person to leave.
Even With An Adult, Minors Are Prohibited
Or if for example an adult enters the premises with a person under the age of 18 and states that “It’s ok because they are with me and I am responsible for them” it is still strictly prohibited regardless of who is accompanying the minor, to have anyone in the store under the age of 18, including young children/babies.
It is in the best interest of the people/customers and the companies who own adult stores to respect the law that has been put in place for good reason. I urge any under age teenagers or young adult to also respect that waiting until you are of legal age to enter an adult store is in the best interest of yourself and those who have responsibility for you once you enter their premises.
This law of restricted ages for entering/viewing adult stores, adult content or even adult entertainment establishments was designed to protect minors from sensitive material that may harm or disturb them. Please be smart and remember that being safe and respectful doesn’t only apply to sex itself but to entering the world of adult stores as well.
For a more detailed and official description of what is deemed “adult content” and why it has been restricted to 18+ please visit the website Australia Law Reform Commission website for articles on restricting access to adult content.
About the author: Nikki is a consultant from Oh Zone Adult Lifestyle Centres
Jennifer is a marketer at Adultsmart! Embracing a non-judgmental stance, she believes in pleasure without limits—if it feels good and right, why not?
Leave a Reply