 |
 |
| Oppose bills that will negatively affect homeless people, sex workers, and others |
|
| Despite many efforts by the community to convince them otherwise, members of The Judiciary Committee voted on the Omnibus Public Safety Act this summer, approving provisions regarding "prostitution free zones" and making the exchange of sex for money illegal (currently soliciting sex for money is illegal). Hopefully in the future the City Council will oppose laws with such negative effects for the rights, health and safety of many communities. Committee on the Judiciary Phil Mendelson, (At Large) Chair 202-724-8064 pmendelson@dccouncil.us Kwame R. Brown, (At Large) 202-724-8174 kbrown@dccouncil.us David A. Catania, (At Large) 202-724-7772 Kathy Patterson, (Ward 3) 202-724-8062 kpatterson@dccouncil.us Sharon Ambrose, (Ward 6) 202-724-8072 sambrose@dccouncil.us DC City Council Website has the address of Council members offices. The Council is considering legislation that would make the work of Different Avenues and similar organizations harder because it increases criminalization of people involved in sex work, people who are homeless, and others. Local organizations have formed an alliance, the Alliance for a Safe and Diverse DC, about the proposed legislation. This group has prepared factsheets on the bills, is presenting testimony to public hearings, and educating the public. We are also circulating a letter that organizations can sign to show support for our efforts. Our efforts have garnered some positive media attention, which you can view here, here, or here or here. What is the legislation? In 2005 Mayor Anthony Williams introduced two bills to the City Council. The first, the Omnibus Public Safety Act of 2005, contains several provisions that will affect homeless people and young people as well as two sections that propose tougher sanctions on commercial sex. Title XX, named the “Anti-prostitution Amendment Act of 2005” will criminalize the exchange of sex for money, and Title XXI, the “Prostitution Free Zone Act of 2005” will empower the Chief of Police to declare any public area he chooses a “prostitution free zone.” This legislation will give the police carte blanche to harass low income people of color, transgender persons, gays and lesbians, and the homeless when they congregate in public space for any reason. It was approved in the summer of 2006. Click here to find out more about the Omibus Public Safey Act. Another bill we opposed, the Prostitution-related Nuisance Abatement Amendment Act , was passed in January 2006. It proposes to further criminalize activities supposedly associated with prostitution, such as loitering, and criminalize “erotic massage” providing law enforcement with a way of targeting “place-based prostitution.” This legislation will undermine the work of health promotion organizations by further criminalizing people in need of assistance and will disproportionately affect migrants because the majority of workers in massage establishments are from Latin America or Asia. Click here to find out more about the Public Nuisance Act. So What’s the Problem? Organizations and individuals in the community are concerned about the affect these new laws will have on the health, safety and rights of already marginalized people. In promoting health and trying to prevent HIV and other STDs, it’s widely recognized that successful health promotion and violence prevention strategies must give sex workers the tools to take care of themselves. This is challenging because sex workers are marginalized and less likely to have access to resources and services, making it more difficult for them to keep safe. Laws that criminalize prostitutes make it hard for outreach workers to reach the population. Police crack downs push sex workers farther into the shadows, increasing the likelihood they will be targets of violence, or have to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors. We are also concerned that the broad nature of the Prostitution Free Zone will affect the ability of all people to enjoy public space free of police harassment. The Prostitution-related Nuisance law would make it even more difficult for outreach workers to connect with the already deeply clandestine immigrant community. This legislation runs counter to the District’s own health promotion, violence prevention, and human rights efforts, potentially increasing the incidence of HIV and other STDs, violence, and human rights abuses. What Can Be Done? We feel that the Council should reject the Mayor’s legislation. Instead, we think the Council should consider forming a consultative committee from the social services sector to design measures that would stop violence against people who engage in prostitution, such as coercion and assault, while promoting safe, open and diverse street life in Washington, DC. This body could also work with other community members to address their concerns as well. Email darby-at-differentavenues.org to find out about meetings or how you can get involved. |
|
|
|
|
| Download a factsheet on the legislation by clicking here. |