City's new sex work ordinance sparks outrage among advocates

During a recent government meeting, advocates from SVLC expressed strong opposition to the reintroduction of an ordinance aimed at criminalizing sex work. The attorneys highlighted their work with survivors of gender-based violence, including those who have been criminalized or charged with prostitution. They emphasized that criminalization exacerbates the vulnerabilities of these survivors, making them more susceptible to power imbalances that can lead to sexual coercion, abuse, and trafficking.

The advocates criticized the city for disregarding evidence-based research and community relationships in favor of this regressive measure. They argued that the proposed ordinance fails to acknowledge the complexities of gender-based violence and the racial dynamics at play. The attorneys urged city officials to vote against the prostitution loitering ordinance, framing it as a harmful step for those working to address sexual violence issues.