Katija Cortez, a 28-year-old former accountant turned escort from Sydney, has sparked discussion by sharing her experiences with married clients and explaining why she doesn’t see her interactions as cheating. Katija, who has found herself more successful and financially stable than many of the men she meets socially, has opted for a career where she engages with married men among others, without the burden of traditional dating woes.
Over the last three years, Katija has encountered numerous married men as part of her profession, though she refrains from discussing personal details, viewing such inquiries as unprofessional and dampening to the mood of their encounters. From her observations, a significant portion of her clients, perhaps half, are married, a figure she admits could be underreported as many might choose not to disclose their marital status.
In conversations with her clients, Katija noted that these men often express a high regard for their wives. According to her, these interactions are not viewed by her clients as infidelity but rather as transactions devoid of romantic emotions. This perception is echoed by many of her colleagues, revealing a common theme across her profession.
Katija argues against the notion that providing services to married individuals constitutes cheating, emphasizing the transactional and emotionless nature of her engagements. She compares this to service denial based on relationship status in any other industry, which would be considered discriminatory. Most of her married clients, she observed, do not speak ill of their partners; even those undergoing marital strife tend to discuss their wives respectfully.
The complexity of her clients’ needs goes beyond mere physical satisfaction. Katija pointed out that many seek a blend of emotional and physical intimacy—laughing, being held, and enjoying companionship—elements they find lacking or inaccessible in their marriages. This, she believes, highlights a fundamental misunderstanding in societal expectations, where physical acts are separated from emotional fulfillment.
Katija’s transition from accounting to escorting was driven by a combination of personal empowerment and a disillusionment with the dating scene. She perceives her services as a straightforward, discreet alternative to the complications and emotional turmoil often associated with extramarital affairs. According to her, affairs carry emotional baggage and can lead to complex entanglements, whereas her services are strictly business.
Addressing the moral complexities of her role, Katija shared insights into the motivations of her clients. Many are not seeking to replace or diminish their marriages but are looking to fill specific voids. She stressed that these interactions often involve basic human desires for closeness and validation—needs that are universally human, transcending gender stereotypes.
Ultimately, Katija views her work as a necessary service, providing not only physical relief but also emotional support. She encourages a broader understanding of her profession, urging people to see beyond the stigma and recognize the nuanced human interactions at play. Her perspective challenges conventional views on fidelity, suggesting that the issues leading men to seek her services are rooted in deeper marital or personal dissatisfaction, not in the services provided by escorts.