DSW Ranks Presidential Candidates

In light of the recent poll by Data for Progress, revealing that a majority of US voters support the decriminalization of consensual, adult prostitution, it is clear that sex work policy reform has become a national issue. Many Democratic primary candidates have expressed “openness to the decriminalization of sex work.” Others position themselves under what they describe as decriminalization but, in effect, ranges from prohibition-style criminalization to government regulation. Others have failed to voice an opinion on this critical issue.

DSW has released its report card grading each candidate on whether and how they intend to protect the safety and health of sex workers. We assigned grades to each candidate based on their stated policy positions, voting records, public statements, and private conversations.

Reason magazine featured DSW’s rankings in an article by Elizabeth Nolan Brown. To see how the democratic primary candidates stack up on these issues, visit DSW’s page here.