DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

April 4, 2025

Earlier this month, DSW Staff Attorney Becca Cleary spoke on a panel at the Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work, held at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. The panel, titled “Policing Sex Work: Community Impact and Legal Resources,” focused on how policing practices affect sex workers and how legal and policy responses can either compound harm or promote safety.

Cleary was joined by Commissioner Tick Segerblom, Chair of the Clark County Commission; Amy Marie Merrell, Co-Executive Director of Programs & Development at The Cupcake Girls; and Emily Coombes, a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Red Umbrella Collective.

A recurring theme throughout the panel — and the symposium as a whole — was the urgent need for laws that protect sex workers from criminal liability when seeking help. Often referred to as “immunity” or “Good Samaritan” laws, these measures ensure that sex workers who are victims of or witnesses to a crime can report it without fear of arrest for prostitution. In a country where sex work remains heavily criminalized, such protections are essential for public safety and justice.

The symposium featured a wide range of discussions led by scholars, advocates, and policymakers on the harms of criminalization and the path forward. The keynote lunch featured Professor Aya Gruber and Dr. Barb Brents, who emphasized that current law enforcement practices often deter sex workers from seeking support — even from medical professionals. Dr. Brents, who has spent nearly four decades researching the sex industry, underscored the need to center sex workers’ voices in policy-making: “The best policy could be made if we listen to sex workers and include them in the process.”

Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

Event flyer.

Panelists address the advocates from around the country during UNLV’s Policing Sex Work Symposium.

Panelists address the advocates from around the country during UNLV’s Policing Sex Work Symposium.

DSW Newsletter #62 (April 2025)

DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

March 18, 2025 DSW staff has been busy testifying on sex work related bills around the Northeast. Staff Attorney Rebecca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx testified before the Rhode...
Read More
DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

April 4, 2025 Earlier this month, DSW Staff Attorney Becca Cleary spoke on a panel at the Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work, held at the William S. Boyd School of...
Read More
DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

NYPD Officers Assault and Extort Sex Workers

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DSW Newsletter Archive

NYPD Officers Assault and Extort Sex Workers

March 31, 2025

The recent arrest of two rookie New York Police Department (NYPD) officers, Justin Colon and Justin McMillian, for groping and stealing from sex workers in Queens, NY, highlights the dangers of criminalizing consensual adult sex work. These officers, while responding to a prostitution call, used their authority to rob and sexually assault women in the line of duty. They even turned off their body cameras to cover their tracks, in a deliberate attempt to evade accountability. This disturbing case is a clear example of how criminalizing sex work fosters an environment where police officers can exploit their power without fear of consequences.

Law enforcement officers have inherent power and authority over civilians, and this authority can be wielded to coerce unwanted sexual contact. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has recognized that policing “create[s] opportunities for sexual misconduct” because officers “have power and authority over others” and “engage with vulnerable populations who lack power and are often perceived as less credible”. The abuse of authority by Colon and McMillian is not an isolated event. Police sexual violence (PSV) is the second-most prevalent form of police violence after excessive force. There are likely exponentially more cases of PSV than have been documented because victims fear that reporting will lead to further criminalization or retribution.

The criminalization of sex work creates a dangerous environment where officers are emboldened to exploit their authority. Instead of protecting vulnerable individuals, law enforcement often targets them, using their power to extort, harass, or assault sex workers. In some cases, officers threaten to arrest sex workers unless they comply with their demands for sexual favors, knowing that the risk of criminal charges or retribution deters reporting.

Decriminalizing sex work offers a vital solution. Where sex work is treated as a private activity between consenting adults, the criminal element that allows for abuses of power is gone. Sex workers, no longer criminalized, would be able to report misconduct without fear of arrest or punishment. Additionally, law enforcement could focus on serious crimes, such as human trafficking, assault, and exploitation, while improving their relationships with marginalized communities.

The arrest of Colon and McMillian serves as a stark reminder of the systemic issues created by the criminalization of sex work. When the law treats sex workers as criminals, it opens the door to abuse, corruption, and violence within police departments. Decriminalizing sex work is a necessary step toward protecting vulnerable individuals, reducing police misconduct, and ensuring that law enforcement operates with integrity and accountability. It’s not just about safeguarding sex workers — it’s about creating a fair, just, and safe law enforcement system for everyone.

Read our comprehensive fact sheet on effective PSV laws here.

police officer

DSW Newsletter #62 (April 2025)

DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

March 18, 2025 DSW staff has been busy testifying on sex work related bills around the Northeast. Staff Attorney Rebecca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx testified before the Rhode...
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DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

April 4, 2025 Earlier this month, DSW Staff Attorney Becca Cleary spoke on a panel at the Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work, held at the William S. Boyd School of...
Read More
DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

NYPD Officers Assault and Extort Sex Workers

March 31, 2025 The recent arrest of two rookie New York Police Department (NYPD) officers, Justin Colon and Justin McMillian, for groping and stealing from sex workers in Queens, NY, highlights...
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DSW Newsletter Archive

DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

March 18, 2025

DSW staff has been busy testifying on sex work related bills around the Northeast. Staff Attorney Rebecca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx testified before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee in support of S810, which would fully decriminalize consensual adult sex work in the state. Following impassioned testimony from both supporters and opponents, the bill was held for further study.

Rebecca Cleary was in New Hampshire twice in April to testify against two dangerous bills. SB267 would increase penalties for clients of sex workers, including jail time. HB405, which initially proposed a study commission to address concerns in the state around human trafficking was amended to immediately increase criminalization around sex work. In response to residents’ concerns around the number of massage parlors in the state where human trafficking or sex work may be taking place, the bill would criminalize anyone who knowingly allows prostitution to take place in a location they “control.”

Rather than addressing the underlying issues of exploitation, these measures create additional barriers to safety, resources, and legal protection for sex workers. These bills contribute to a broader pattern of conflating consensual adult sex work with human trafficking, ultimately misdirecting law enforcement resources. Instead of addressing actual cases of exploitation, these measures fail to improve the safety or well-being of sex workers and push sex work further underground, making it more difficult for workers to access support, services, or protections. Despite compelling testimony from Cleary and other advocates for sex worker rights, the bills continue to make their way through the New Hampshire General Assembly.

DSW’s Rebecca Cleary testifies before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee.

Rebecca Cleary testifies before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee.

Henri Bynx testifies before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee.

Henri Bynx testifies before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee.

Rebecca Cleary testifies before the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee.

Rebecca Cleary testifies before the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee.

Rebecca Cleary testifies before the New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

Rebecca Cleary testifies before the New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

DSW Newsletter #62 (April 2025)

DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

March 18, 2025 DSW staff has been busy testifying on sex work related bills around the Northeast. Staff Attorney Rebecca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx testified before the Rhode...
Read More
DSW Staff Testifies in RI and NH

DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

April 4, 2025 Earlier this month, DSW Staff Attorney Becca Cleary spoke on a panel at the Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work, held at the William S. Boyd School of...
Read More
DSW Featured at Symposium on Policing Commercial Sex Work

NYPD Officers Assault and Extort Sex Workers

March 31, 2025 The recent arrest of two rookie New York Police Department (NYPD) officers, Justin Colon and Justin McMillian, for groping and stealing from sex workers in Queens, NY, highlights...
Read More
NYPD Officers Assault and Extort Sex Workers

Gone Girls, the Gilgo Beach Murders, and the Case for Immunity Laws for Sex Workers

April 15, 2025 The new documentary Gone Girls shines a light on one of the most disturbing unsolved serial murder cases in recent American history: the Gilgo Beach, NY, killings. By...
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DSW Newsletter Archive

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

March 4, 2025

Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) joined 130 fellow advocates from New York for an impactful day at the New York State Capitol. DSW played a leading role in the organization of the day along with DecrimNY, the statewide coalition fighting for sex workers’ rights. Advocates from around the state arrived in Albany to educate legislators on the critical need to pass Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (Cecilia’s Act), formerly known as the Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act. The day included multiple meetings with legislators and a press conference.

Cecilia’s Act would destigmatize and decriminalize consensual adult sex work by amending the New York criminal law. It would also clear eligible sex work convictions from criminal records. These changes are crucial to promote safety in the sex trades, reduce trafficking, and decrease police harassment. Cecilia’s Act further promotes safety and economic growth by providing for criminal record relief (sealing, expungement) for offenses no longer criminalized. This would allow thousands of New Yorkers to move forward with their lives without the burden of a criminal conviction. Unlike other expungement laws, which require a certain waiting period before convictions are sealed, Cecilia’s Act would provide immediate relief.

Decriminalize Sex Work Legal Director Melissa Broudo addresses the press on the Million Dollar Staircase during lobby day.

Decriminalize Sex Work Legal Director Melissa Broudo addresses the press on the Million Dollar Staircase during lobby day.

Advocates wear red and hold signs featuring images of the late Cecilia Gentili in support of sex work decriminalization.

Advocates wear red and hold signs featuring images of the late Cecilia Gentili in support of sex work decriminalization.

Decriminalize Sex Work Legal Director Melissa Broudo with Assemblymember Emily Gallagher.

Decriminalize Sex Work Legal Director Melissa Broudo with Assemblymember Emily Gallagher.

Lobby day signage

Lobby day signage.

DSW Legal Director Melissa Broudo and advocates in Albany, NY, on behalf of Cecilia’s Act.

DSW Legal Director Melissa Broudo and advocates in Albany, NY, on behalf of Cecilia’s Act.

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham is pictured with advocates.

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham is pictured with advocates.

Assemblymember and bill sponsor Phara Souffrant Forrest discusses Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the Sex Trades in Albany, NY.

Assemblymember and bill sponsor Phara Souffrant Forrest discusses Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the Sex Trades in Albany, NY.

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

March 4, 2025 Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) joined 130 fellow advocates from New York for an impactful day at the New York State Capitol. DSW played a leading role in the...
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Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
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DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

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DSW Newsletter Archive

Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

March 2, 2025

The film Anora made history at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, taking home five of the six awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture. Four of those Oscars went to Sean Baker, who directed, wrote, and edited the film. There is plenty to say about Anora, a movie that was clearly well-loved by the 10,000 voting Academy members, but perhaps the most important is that it is a film about a sex worker. While the Academy Awards have frequently recognized performances portraying sex workers — anywhere from 14 to 17 Oscars have gone to actresses playing sex workers on screen throughout the years — Anora makes history as the first Best Picture winner centered on a sex worker’s story.

Anora follows Ani, a Brooklyn-based stripper who unexpectedly marries the son of a powerful Russian oligarch, leading to a high-stakes conflict between her new in-laws and her personal autonomy. The film has been praised for its gritty realism and Sean Baker’s signature verité style, but it has also been met with mixed reactions from real-life sex workers. While some have appreciated its attempt at a more authentic depiction, others have critiqued its reliance on familiar tropes and questioned why, once again, a film about sex work did not involve sex workers in key creative roles.

Many in the sex worker community have highlighted both positive and problematic aspects of the film. On one hand, Anora avoids some of the worst Hollywood stereotypes that paint sex workers solely as victims or villains. On the other, it still leans into dramatic storytelling that, while compelling, may not fully reflect the lived realities of many sex workers. Additionally, while Baker and Madison both expressed gratitude to sex workers in their acceptance speeches, some feel that mere acknowledgment is no longer enough.

One of the night’s most significant moments came when both Mikey Madison and Sean Baker explicitly thanked sex workers during their Oscar speeches. In an industry that has long exploited and misrepresented sex workers while erasing their voices, this moment of recognition felt groundbreaking. However, we can and should expect more. With a platform as massive as the Academy Awards, there was an opportunity to go beyond appreciation and advocate for real change — such as the decriminalization of sex work, which would ensure safety, dignity, and rights for those in the industry.

Hollywood’s treatment of sex work is evolving, and Anora represents an important step forward. But visibility alone is not enough. Moving forward, we must demand more than just acknowledgement — we must demand action. The fight for sex workers’ rights needs voices beyond the community itself. If filmmakers truly respect the people whose lives they depict, they should use their platforms to push for policies that protect and empower them. The time for simply recognizing sex workers has passed. Now is the time to fight for real change.

Mikey Madison poses with her best actress Oscar she won for her portrayal of Ani, a sex worker in “Anora”

Mikey Madison poses with her best actress Oscar she won for her portrayal of Ani, a sex worker in “Anora”

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

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DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
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DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

February 25, 2025 An op ed by Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Chief Advocacy Organizer Henri Bynx ran in Vermont Digger. Vermont Digger is one of VT’s main news sources, widely read...
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DSW Newsletter Archive

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025

Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Legal Director Melissa Broudo and Staff Attorney Becca Cleary spent a day in the MA State House meeting with legislators and advocating for passage of the bills. Along with the Boston Sex Workers and Allies Collective (BSWAC), they met with the offices of eleven legislators, including Senators and State Representatives. The meetings were productive and the information shared by advocates was well received by the bi-partisan group of legislators.

Bills to watch in MA include:

* H1980 (Sabadosa): This omnibus legislation decriminalizes sex work in Massachusetts.

* H2467 (Kilcoyne): This bill creates an interagency committee to study decriminalizing sex work.

* H1747 (Higgins): This bill prohibits victims and witnesses who report crime to law enforcement from being prosecuted with certain crimes.

* H2634 (Higgins): This bill prohibits law enforcement officers from having sexual contact with someone in their control.

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

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Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

February 25, 2025 More than 20 advocates, survivors of trafficking, and consensual adult sex workers gathered to urge the New York State Legislature to pass S.3967 (Sepulveda) / A01029 (Kelles). Decriminalize...
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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

February 25, 2025 Multiple sex work-related bills have been heard in Rhode Island recently. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of all...
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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
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DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

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DSW Newsletter Archive

LAPD Murders Trafficking Victim

February 25, 2025

On February 7, 2025, Linda Becerra Moran, a 30-year-old trans woman, was fatally shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers at a motel after she called 911 for help, claiming she was being kidnapped. Becerra Moran pleaded desperately with the dispatcher, sobbing as she explained that a man was holding her against her will and bringing others into the room. She insisted she was not lying, as she begged for immediate assistance. The dispatcher quickly relayed the information to the police, alerting them to a possible kidnapping situation involving someone who could be a danger to themselves or others.

When officers arrived, they found Becerra Moran pacing inside the room, visibly distressed. Body camera footage from the LAPD shows officers standing in the doorway, guns drawn, speaking to her in Spanish as tensions escalated. She showed them a head wound from being struck repeatedly with a bottle. Despite considerations to place her under a mental health hold, the situation began to rapidly deteriorate. In a moment of rising panic, Becerra Moran began pushing a mini-fridge toward the officers before grabbing a knife and holding it to her neck. At this point, Officer Jacob Sanchez, a four-year veteran, opened fire after Becerra Moran moved toward them. She collapsed onto the bed, critically injured. Attempts to save her were unsuccessful, and after being placed on life support, Becerra Moran died on February 27, 2025, following weeks in the hospital. Due to difficulties in contacting her family in Ecuador, the hospital consulted its ethics committee before making the decision to discontinue life support.

The LAPD initially failed to acknowledge her death, and it was only days later that Officer Sanchez was identified. The incident is under investigation by the Police Commission, the district attorney’s office, and the LAPD’s inspector general. However, the circumstances surrounding her death have received far less media attention than similar police shootings, highlighting the disturbing reality that the lives of sex workers, especially trans women like Becerra Moran, are often dismissed or undervalued. Her death underscores the systemic neglect faced by people in the sex industry, with many instances of violence against them either going unnoticed or under-investigated.

Additionally, the involvement of law enforcement in such cases can exacerbate the harm rather than prevent it. Police are not adequately equipped to address the complex realities of trafficking or the nuanced needs of victims. Instead of prioritizing safety and victim support, law enforcement criminalizes sex workers, whether they are working by force or by choice, deepening the stigma and risks they face. Becerra Moran’s death is a stark reminder of how these systemic failures perpetuate harm and neglect.

The response to trafficking should be led by organizations specializing in victim support, such as survivor advocates, social workers, and non-profits focused on human trafficking. These organizations are more attuned to the needs of vulnerable individuals, offering vital services like legal aid, mental health support, and housing. They work to protect victims from the trauma of criminalization and offer a path to rehabilitation, not punishment. Law enforcement can collaborate with these groups when needed, but the primary focus must be on healing and restoring dignity, not perpetuating further harm. Linda Becerra Moran’s tragic death calls for a critical reevaluation of how society and its institutions address violence against sex workers, urging a shift from criminalization to care, and from punishment to protection.

Police Line Do Not cross

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

March 4, 2025 Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) joined 130 fellow advocates from New York for an impactful day at the New York State Capitol. DSW played a leading role in the...
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Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

February 25, 2025 Multiple sex work-related bills have been heard in Rhode Island recently. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of all...
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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
Read More
DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

February 25, 2025 An op ed by Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Chief Advocacy Organizer Henri Bynx ran in Vermont Digger. Vermont Digger is one of VT’s main news sources, widely read...
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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

March 2, 2025 The film Anora made history at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, taking home five of the six awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture. Four of...
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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

DSW Newsletter Archive

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

February 25, 2025

An op ed by Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Chief Advocacy Organizer Henri Bynx ran in Vermont Digger. Vermont Digger is one of VT’s main news sources, widely read by legislators in Montpelier.

Read Henri’s op ed here.

DSW Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx

DSW Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

March 4, 2025 Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) joined 130 fellow advocates from New York for an impactful day at the New York State Capitol. DSW played a leading role in the...
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Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

February 25, 2025 More than 20 advocates, survivors of trafficking, and consensual adult sex workers gathered to urge the New York State Legislature to pass S.3967 (Sepulveda) / A01029 (Kelles). Decriminalize...
Read More
Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

February 25, 2025 Multiple sex work-related bills have been heard in Rhode Island recently. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of all...
Read More
DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
Read More
DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

February 25, 2025 An op ed by Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Chief Advocacy Organizer Henri Bynx ran in Vermont Digger. Vermont Digger is one of VT’s main news sources, widely read...
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Op Ed by Henri Bynx

LAPD Murders Trafficking Victim

February 25, 2025 On February 7, 2025, Linda Becerra Moran, a 30-year-old trans woman, was fatally shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers at a motel after she called 911...
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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

DSW Newsletter Archive

DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

February 25, 2025

Multiple sex work-related bills have been heard in Rhode Island recently. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of all of the bills which propose laws that would increase the health, safety, and rights of sex workers in Rhode Island. 

Following its hearing, S296, which would remove fines assessed only to people convicted for commercial sexual activity passed the Senate Judiciary Committee!

The following bills were held for further study:

* S278/H5358 would grant immunity from prosecution for prostitution to sex workers and survivors of trafficking who are victims or witnesses of a crime.

* H5357 would remove fines assessed only to people convicted for commercial sexual activity.

* S269/H5348 modernizes Rhode Island’s HIV testing protocols for individuals convicted under commercial sexual activity laws.

* S810 would decriminalize consensual adult sex work.

* S299 would prohibit law enforcement from engaging in sexual contact with a person in their custody.

DSW’s Henri Bynx

DSW’s Henri Bynx.

DSW’s Becca Cleary

DSW’s Becca Cleary.

DSW’s Melissa Broudo

DSW’s Melissa Broudo.

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

March 4, 2025 Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) joined 130 fellow advocates from New York for an impactful day at the New York State Capitol. DSW played a leading role in the...
Read More
Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

February 25, 2025 More than 20 advocates, survivors of trafficking, and consensual adult sex workers gathered to urge the New York State Legislature to pass S.3967 (Sepulveda) / A01029 (Kelles). Decriminalize...
Read More
Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

February 25, 2025 Multiple sex work-related bills have been heard in Rhode Island recently. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of all...
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DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
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DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

February 25, 2025 An op ed by Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Chief Advocacy Organizer Henri Bynx ran in Vermont Digger. Vermont Digger is one of VT’s main news sources, widely read...
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Op Ed by Henri Bynx

LAPD Murders Trafficking Victim

February 25, 2025 On February 7, 2025, Linda Becerra Moran, a 30-year-old trans woman, was fatally shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers at a motel after she called 911...
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LAPD Murders Trafficking Victim

Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

March 2, 2025 The film Anora made history at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, taking home five of the six awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture. Four of...
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Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

DSW Newsletter Archive

Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

February 25, 2025

More than 20 advocates, survivors of trafficking, and consensual adult sex workers gathered to urge the New York State Legislature to pass S.3967 (Sepulveda) / A01029 (Kelles). Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff was instrumental in organizing the Advocacy Day, which included around 25 meetings with legislative offices to discuss the bill. The common sense legislation would encourage sex workers and trafficking survivors who are crime victims and witnesses to report their experience to law enforcement, receive medical care, and seek help.

People involved in commercial sexual activity, whether by choice or because they are being trafficked, are often targeted by predators who know they are unlikely to report victimization or seek medical attention for fear of their own arrest. When abusers are not reported to law enforcement, they are able to continue their acts of violence and exploitation with impunity. The bill has bipartisan support. Nine states have passed similar immunity laws in recent years, and several other states introduced legislation this year.

Read trafficking survivor Laura Mullen’s op ed on the need for Immunity Legislation here.

Immunity advocates gather in Albany

Immunity advocates gather in Albany.

“I wanted to tell law enforcement that I was being trafficked when my trafficker and I were pulled over one time, but I was too scared that I would be arrested for prostitution. Because I couldn’t speak, my nightmare was prolonged and my trafficker remained on the streets,” said Laura Mullen, Survivor Advisory Board President, ECLI-Vibes.

“Immunity laws like the Sex Worker Immunity Act are crucial to public safety because they support victims and witnesses to come forward without fear of prosecution. By removing the barrier to sex workers reporting experiencing or witnessing a crime, law enforcement can gather vital information to solve crimes, uncover key evidence, and hold perpetrators accountable, ultimately preventing further harm to the entire community. This proactive approach strengthens communities by ensuring that crimes are addressed and justice is served,” said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (D-2nd District).

“I believe this legislation is crucial for protecting those who may be victims of serious crimes. Far too often, people involved in prostitution — many of whom are forced into it or taken advantage of — are too afraid to come forward when they experience or witness violence. By offering immunity in these situations, we’re making sure they can speak up without fear of prosecution, allowing law enforcement to go after the individuals who threaten public safety. When victims stay silent out of fear, the harm doesn’t just affect them; it also affects their families and communities. Their loved ones, whether children, parents, or siblings, also suffer the consequences. This bill is about ensuring that no one, no matter their circumstances, feels trapped in fear when seeking justice,” said Senate bill sponsor, Senator Luis Sepúlveda (D-Bronx).

DSW Newsletter #61 (March 2025)

Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

March 4, 2025 Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) joined 130 fellow advocates from New York for an impactful day at the New York State Capitol. DSW played a leading role in the...
Read More
Decriminalization Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

February 25, 2025 More than 20 advocates, survivors of trafficking, and consensual adult sex workers gathered to urge the New York State Legislature to pass S.3967 (Sepulveda) / A01029 (Kelles). Decriminalize...
Read More
Immunity Law Advocacy Day at New York State Capitol

DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

February 25, 2025 Multiple sex work-related bills have been heard in Rhode Island recently. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) staff testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of all...
Read More
DSW Staff Testify on Multiple RI Bills

DSW Staff at the MA State House

February 28, 2025 Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work...
Read More
DSW Staff at the MA State House

Op Ed by Henri Bynx

February 25, 2025 An op ed by Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Chief Advocacy Organizer Henri Bynx ran in Vermont Digger. Vermont Digger is one of VT’s main news sources, widely read...
Read More
Op Ed by Henri Bynx

LAPD Murders Trafficking Victim

February 25, 2025 On February 7, 2025, Linda Becerra Moran, a 30-year-old trans woman, was fatally shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers at a motel after she called 911...
Read More
LAPD Murders Trafficking Victim

Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

March 2, 2025 The film Anora made history at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, taking home five of the six awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture. Four of...
Read More
Anora and Sex Workers Win Big at the Academy Awards

DSW Newsletter Archive