Harris Supports Decriminalizing Sex Work

[RandySF]

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) told The Root that she supports the decriminalization of sex work nationwide.

Said Harris: “I do not believe that anyone that hurts another human being or profits off of their exploitation should be…free of criminal prosecution. But when you’re talking about consenting adults? Yes, I think you have to really consider that we can’t criminalize consensual behavior as long as no one is being harmed.”



https://politicalwire.com/2019/02/26/harris-supports-decriminalizing-sex-work/

[jberryhill]

1. That will be a popular position here

[still_one]

2. True, but what might be interesting is to see how many politicans say one thing, and do another

[jberryhill]

7. oh

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/59xzj5/sex-workers-dont-trust-kamala-harris-backpage-fosta-sesta

[still_one]

9. interesting

[CrossingTheRubicon]

30. Not with me.

[jberryhill]

31. It's okay, she's firmly held both positions

[guillaumeb]

3. And who determines that consent was truly given?

And who determines that the actual worker is receiving the profits?

Is Harris proposing licensing sex workers?

[RandySF]

10. If the sex worker is an independent escort

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. In a lot countries prostitution is legal, pimping isn't.

[Trenzalore]

4. Would not envy the legislature that tried to write that law

So many variables to capture

[RandySF]

5. I believe Canada did it.

[Trenzalore]

8. I think the UK has some form of it too

Sex trafficking must still be prosecuted. what concerns me is that would stop. A licensing and tax process might resolve that.

[Trenzalore]

6. On a side note

Would love to see Trump taking the opposite position after paying 130k to a porn star.

[progressoid]

21. Technically, he wasn't paying for her sex, he was paying for her silence about sex.

[comradebillyboy]

12. I'm ok with legalization of sex work so long as it's properly regulated

to minimize human trafficking and to protect both workers and clients. Increases tax revenue and allows police to focus on more serious crimes.

[RandySF]

18. That's the point

Take sex work off the streets and out of shadows where workers (women and men) can work as regulated inpendents or with licensed, professional agencies with the ability to better screen potential customers.

[4now]

13. She just got my vote

Very brave stance for current times.

[crazycatlady]

14. I would support regulating sex work

It is the oldest profession in the world. The big problem with it is when there are abusive middle men like pimps and human traffickers in the equation. Not sure how this would work, but I'm in favor of regulating the pimps out of existence.

Also by regulating sex work, this would also assure that everyone is 18+.

[BeyondGeography]

15. Good call

[Amimnoch]

16. Decriminalize it for the worker, keep it criminal for the buyer.

One way to surely kill off the industry and provide the best of all worlds:

Make it totally legal for those who would sell, but keep it criminalized for the buyers.

1. provides the workers with rights, and protections including the ability to report abuses against their persons during the course of their work.
2. How many "Johns" would STILL want to engage in these transactions if they were at risk or exposure and prosecution but the person they are soliciting isn't? That safe feeling of mutual risk would be completely taken away.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. In Canada and Israel prostitution is legal but pimping isn't.

Prostitution and the legalization of hard drugs are two issues I'm ambivalent about. On one hand agency is a hill I'm willing to die on. On the other hand some people need to be protected from themselves. At the end of the day it's your body, your mind, and your life.

[TomSlick]

20. I don't know that the feds can - or at least should - tell States it must decriminalize anything.

Not to be a supporter of "state's rights" but the States generally get to set their own criminal laws. I'm not convinced this is a federal issue.

I would prefer our candidates stick to federal issues. There is a lot of problems that need the attention of presidential candidates. This isn't one of them.

[MineralMan]

22. I'm on board with that, with one important caveat:

Such decriminalization must come with stronger laws against third party exploitation and trafficking. It's a fine balance between truly consensual arrangements and non-consensual exploitation.

The reality is that private, non-coercive arrangements between independent sex workers and their clients or customers is almost never punished by laws and enforcement of those laws. Such arrangements are already virtually decriminalized, since prosecutions are extremely rare in such situations.

The real issue is sex trafficking and coercion by third-parties. Finding a way to keep those things illegal and prosecuting offenders while making non-coercive paid sexual behavior will not be easy.

[George II]

24. That's the way it is in Canada, decriminalized but with laws against exploitation and trafficking...

...and brothels (where most of that occurs) are illegal.

[MineralMan]

27. Sounds good. How is it working out in practice?

[George II]

29. "I refuse to answer...."

Actually I've never lived in Canada, I'm not familiar with how that works out in practice.

[George II]

23. With some restrictions (mostly to protect the workers) it has been decriminalized in Canada.

"Street walking" is still illegal, primarily because it's a dangerous environment for the women.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

25. Decriminalization of sex work is badly needed

It should be done in a way to protect the workers and it should be done in a safe environment. These jobs have been around for thousands of years and making it legal is a good first step towards helping these workes live a more humane life. Good for Senator Harris for advocating for this in her patform.

[RandySF]

26. Question

Should allow only independent work, or let workers join licensed agencies?

[ZeroSomeBrains]

28. I would think a union would be useful

That could give more benefits to these workers and perhaps give them health care and a 401k and a right to negotiate for pay raises. I don't know if you could force them to join a union. I would think you could make joining a union more appealing but I think independent work should still be legal. The most important thing is to make these services out of the black market so as to make bad actors doing sex trafficking and underage work be forced out of the legal general sex worker population. I don't know exactly how all this could be done but I hear they have it legal in Canada so that could be used as a framework.

[progressoid]

32. Well, that's interesting.