WoLF Submits Testimony in Opposition to Louisiana Bill to Fully Decriminalize the Sex Trade
WoLF has submitted written testimony to the Louisiana House of Representatives in opposition to HB 67, which would fully decriminalize the sex trade in the state in response to a plea for support from the Louisiana Survivors Justice Coalition.
The Coalition has published a letter of opposition, and is urgently seeking signatures from survivors of the sex trade and allies in preparation for a committee hearing scheduled for Tuesday on the bill. Out-of-state allies are welcome to sign the letter. Signatures must be submitted before 11:59 pm Sunday night to be counted at the Tuesday hearing, which will be available to watch online.
Read WoLF’s Testimony:
Rep. Edward James, Chair
Rep. Tony Bacala, Vice Chair
Louisiana House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
Lierre Kieth
Board Chair, Women’s Liberation Front
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Opposition to HB 67, To repeal certain prostitution-related offenses
Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) is a national radical feminist organization with members across the country (including in Louisiana) dedicated to defending the rights of women and girls. We strongly oppose HB 67, which would fully decriminalize the sex trade in Louisiana. If passed, this bill would normalize sexual violence, fail to protect victims, and fail to hold pimps and sex-buyers accountable for their systematic exploitation of women and girls.
We firmly agree with the sponsors of HB 67 on the stated goals of reducing violence against victims of the sex trade and recognizing that those who are bought and sold in the sex industry are not criminals. However, this bill to fully decriminalize most prostitution offenses, including the purchasing of another person for sex, pimping, or operating a brothel, would not achieve these goals. Rather, evidence from research on 116 countries shows us that countries with legalized prostitution are associated with higher rates of human trafficking.
Decriminalized prostitution is state-sponsored prostitution, sending the message that women and girls are up for sale in the state of Louisiana. By stating there is no crime in buying sex, the state would be denying the reality of the inherent exploitation and violence in the sex trade, which is built on the backs of poor, marginalized, and abused women (and, often, children). Prostitution is not “just like any other job.” Ninety-two percent of women in prostitution want to exit, and it often takes more than five times before victims are able to successfully exit the sex trade. Two-thirds of victims of the sex trade experience PTSD (twice the rate of Vietnam War veterans), and 76 percent of people sold in prostitution receive physical injuries from violence.
This bill does get some things right, though. Specifically, the decriminalization of the victims and survivors of the trade, and Rep. Landry’s subsequent promise to expunge the records of victims of the sex trade. People who are sold in the sex industry are not criminals, and survivors have been clear in their call for reform that holds their exploiters to account. We urge the House to reject HB 67, and instead move towards institution the Equality Model (Nordic Model), which decriminalizes victims, supports survivors in exiting, and holds sex-buyers and pimps accountable for their sexual exploitation. This model has been proven to reduce sex trafficking,1 and recognizes the humanity of women and girls by refusing to look the other way when we are bought, sold, and exploited. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.