Prostitution would be decriminalized in Massachusetts under bills discussed before the Judiciary Committee this week, though there is a deep divide among sex workers and activists about how far that decriminalization should go.
Of the dozens of former prostitutes who testified on Tuesday, many said they entered the sex industry as children, became addicted to drugs and wanted to get out but did not know how to until they were connected with survivor-led help groups.
Indigo Kirsch, the outcomes and evaluation manager for My Life, My Choice, said youth who work in the sex trade are disproportionately Black, Indigenous or people of color, or LGBTQ+, and a majority are involved in the foster care system. Advocates who spoke in favor of repealing criminal penalties for prostitutes said that Sabadosa's"full decriminalization" bill, and a Sabadosa and Sen. Liz Miranda bill to create a commission to study fully legalizing the sex work industry , may have the"intention… to support marginalized communities," but instead"legitimizes sex buying, brothels and third party control.
Rebecca Clearly, an attorney for Decriminalize Sex Work, testified that the Keefe/Friedman bill denies the existence of"adult consensual sex workers," who would like to continue in the industry, but make it safer.
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