What We Want
Sex work should be decriminalized so that adults who willfully engage in sex work are not criminalized and have a safe environment free from threat of danger or physical harm.
Reasons for Reform
- Prevention of sex trafficking.
- Human dignity and bodily autonomy.
- Safe working environment, protection from violence.
- Protection from the exploitation of civil and labor rights.
- Access to justice, ability to report abuse.
- Health and public safety.
Sex work is work. There are many women who willfully and consensually engage in sex work and they should not be shamed for this choice nor made to exist or work in dangerous conditions.
At the same time, we must acknowledge the existence of sex trafficking and the role that decriminalization can play in combatting its stronghold in Georgia.
The criminalization of sex work does not prevent it from occurring but merely forces the activity underground into a black market without regulation. This black market enables sex trafficking which is rampant in Georgia and Atlanta in particular. It allows the abuse of vulnerable individuals and prevents the existence of basic health and safety requirements and measures that would combat exploitation and violence against sex workers. When the work is criminalized, sex workers cannot report violent behavior or theft.
“Criminalization exposes sex workers to abuse and exploitation by law enforcement officials, such as police officers. Human Rights Watch has documented that, in criminalized environments, police officers harass sex workers, extort bribes, and physically and verbally abuse sex workers, or even rape or coerce sex from them.”