DSW Testifies in Support of Expanding the Definition of Police Sexual Violence in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law already prohibits sexual assault by law enforcement officers, but advocates say the current statute leaves room for ambiguity when it comes to coercion and abuse of power. House Bill 2634, introduced by Representative Natalie Higgins, strengthens these protections by explicitly defining “control” and “coercion” to include situations where an officer communicates, implicitly or explicitly, the power to charge or arrest a person even when that power could not lawfully be exercised.

The bill also requires every law enforcement agency in the state to adopt a policy prohibiting officers from engaging in sexual contact with individuals who are suspects in prostitution or trafficking investigations. This reform would help close critical loopholes that can allow abuse and exploitation to go unpunished, and it represents an important step toward rebuilding trust in law enforcement within these marginalized communities.

Last month, Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Staff Attorney Becca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx traveled to Boston to testify in support of the bill, while Legal Director Melissa Broudo provided virtual testimony. They were joined by members of the Boston Sex Workers and Allies Collective (BSWAC) and Mass NOW, who also spoke in favor of the legislation.

Similar legislation was enacted in Vermont in 2023, expanding the definition of police sexual violence and setting a precedent for accountability across New England. DSW’s testimony underscored the importance of Massachusetts following suit, ensuring that no one under investigation, particularly in prostitution or trafficking cases, can be coerced or manipulated by those entrusted with enforcing the law.