Program areas at Decriminalize Sex Work
PUBLIC EDUCATION: DSW engaged in a range of activities to build support among the public for DSW's mission, the most prevalent of which was day-to-day interactions with reporters in order to amplify DSW's message in the news media. In addition, DSW staffers: (1) gave speeches and presentations; (2) produced brochures and briefing papers; (3) responded to inquiries from the public; and (4) expanded DSW's already-comprehensive website.
LOBBYING STATE LEGISLATURES: DSW lobbied various state governments to pass a range of bills, with a particular focus on the legislatures in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
CONFERENCES and COALITION BUILDING: DSW staffers attended and spoke at conferences, as well as worked with potential and existing allies to build a stronger national coalition supporting the decriminalization of consensual adult prostitution.
NEW YORK STATE: DSW worked in New York to change the state's prostitution laws, with an emphasis on passing "immunity" (also known as "Good Samaritan") legislation that would protect sex workers from arrest if they or third parties contact the police to report crimes involving violence and/or theft directed at the sex workers.
RHODE ISLAND: DSW worked in Rhode Island to change the state's prostitution and other sex laws. As a result, in June 2023, the Rhode Island government enacted a law that now prohibits medical offices and institutions from discriminating against people because of their professions, including sex work.
VERMONT: DSW worked in Vermont to change the state's prostitution and other sex laws. As a result, in May 2023, the Vermont government enacted a law that now prohibits police and government informants from having sexual contact with suspected prostitutes (or anyone else) as part of law enforcement's official duties.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: DSW worked in New Hampshire to change the state's prostitution laws, with an emphasis on passing legislation that would prohibit law enforcement from proactively disseminating the mug shots of people who have been arrested -- but not yet convicted -- of certain crimes, including prostitution and the solicitation of prostitution.
MAINE: In the aftermath of Gov. Janet Mills (D) vetoing the "entrapment" bill we opposed in 2021, DSW worked in Maine to build opposition to future "entrapment" deliberations. Unfortunately, DSW failed; as a result, people aren't arrested for prostitution, but people soliciting prostitution are still arrested. (This is the equivalent of allowing barber shops but arresting people for getting haircuts.) Also during the 2023 legislative session, the Maine government enacted a law that makes it easier for people convicted of prostitution to get their criminal records expunged if they were the victims of human trafficking.