Democrat’s Decriminalization of Loitering with Intent to Engage in Prostitution Helps Sex Traffickers
The recent legislation in California, Senate Bill 357, has decriminalized loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution. This measure, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in July and took effect in January, has been met with opposition by anti-trafficking advocates who have seen its impact on the ground. While prostitution remains illegal, the police’s ability to contain it has diminished significantly. This bill is said to have helped sex traffickers the most, leading to a rise in trafficking and accompanying gun violence in communities.
State Senator Scott Wiener, who has authored several gender- and sex-related bills in the past, justifies SB 357 as necessary for advancing the rights of LGBTQ people. Wiener argues that previous laws, such as loitering, were inherently profiling and were used to arrest people for how they look, often targeting trans women, black women, and other members of the LGBTQ community.
However, anti-trafficking advocates in Oakland and San Diego have emphasized that the vast majority of those trafficked are African-American women and girls, with a rising number of those who identify as LGBTQIA+. The women and girls being sold into prostitution suffer from STDs, yeast infections, UTIs, and other health problems due to the high levels of activity they are subjected to without adequate care. The advocates argue that instead of protecting these vulnerable women and girls, the new legislation has made it easier for the pimps and traffickers to exploit them.
Senator Wiener is known for being one of the nation’s most liberal lawmakers, who also stands out for his attention-seeking antics on social media. He has posted pictures of himself at the Folsom Street Fair, tweeted about the monkeypox outbreak, and even threatened to make “Drag Queen 101” a mandatory part of K-12 education. He has sought to use policy as a way to wage a cultural war on what he has deemed against his policies.
The decriminalization of loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution has not lived up to its intended purpose of protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community. Instead, it has perpetuated a system of abuse and harm that is impacting the most vulnerable among us. The legislation has made it easier for pimps and traffickers to exploit women and girls, leading to a rise in trafficking and accompanying gun violence in communities. It is time for our lawmakers to re-evaluate their priorities and put the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens first.
