Supporters say ‘safe‑reporting’ immunity would let sex workers report violent crimes without fear of arrest

Supporters of H.1747, an act relative to safe reporting, told the Joint Committee on the Judiciary the measure would remove a critical barrier that prevents adult consensual sex workers from reporting violence, robbery, trafficking and robbery to police. Melissa Prudhom, co‑director of the SOAR Institute, described prior experience in New York and Rhode Island and said the bill would make it easier for adult consensual workers and survivors of trafficking to come forward and enable police to pursue violent predators. “This bill … would allow arrest for prostitution, would facilitate a better relationship between people in the sex trade and law enforcement and help to get more violent predators,” Prudhom said. Multiple sex‑worker organizers and advocates, including members of the Boston Sex Workers and Allies Collective and survivor groups, described examples they say show the statute’s gap in practice: repeated robberies, a known predator whose victims fear arrest and a trans worker who had reportedly been roofied and could not seek medical help because of arrest fears. "When sex workers can't report robberies from clients, they're more vulnerable to being coerced into acts they did not agree to perform," testified Jessica Van Meer of the Boston group. Legal advocates described the bill’s structure as narrowly focused on encouraging reporting and stressed language requiring reporting in good faith so the statute cannot be used for tactical or retaliatory arrests. Attorney Rebecca Cleary emphasized that the measure is aimed at removing the barrier to reporting so law enforcement can locate and prosecute violent offenders. Supporters repeatedly said the policy is distinct from full decriminalization debates; many said safe‑reporting has broad coalition support because it addresses immediate safety concerns for survivors and workers and can be enacted sooner than broader law‑reform proposals. Committee members asked about implementation, outreach and coordination with law enforcement; witnesses urged public awareness campaigns and clear directives to police about enforcement. The committee accepted testimony and invited written follow‑up.