FOSTA and CESTA drive Sex Workers into Residential Areas

Why D.C. sex workers are flocking to Logan Circle

( video news story version of the article included )



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OMG. Do you think this is embellished? It sounds completely out of control. Frankly, sex work should be legal. It is absurd that it isn't. But, wow...if this article is accurate, it is really shameful that people can't have more respect for others. Bang your brains out for bucks all day long...but, respect people around you. Children and, innocent bystanders do not need to be exposed to this. It is probably bringing property value down as well. What a shame. I haven't been around a lot of straight out sex workers. But, most of the Dominatrixs I've known are really awesome people who have more class and, common sense than to behave this way.

I agree with Cheyenne that it should be legalized. If there was ever an industry that could use some regulation, this is it. I am not sure that FOSTA/SESTA is to blame. There are still plenty of sites where escorts advertise. My guess is this is the way the quick money is made and there will always be street prostitution. However providing safe spaces (like in Amsterdam) where ladies are off the street, tested, etc. would help tremendously. But then you would have people that wouldn't want to be tested or had drug issues and such that wouldn't comply. Prostitution is legal in Germany but there are still areas in Berlin where women work the street as opposed to working in a "safe" brothel.

This article was poorly written and also perhaps a little exaggerated... What else would one expect from a TV news station, I suppose.

It is good that they asked actual sex workers what the issue was, instead of relying on "specialists" who often have never spoken to a sex worker in their lives and use poorly researched "statistics" to base their discussions on.

On the one hand, this is sort of poetic justice for those who supported FOSTA- many of whom probably live in that area of DC. It was a very fashionable thing to support a few years ago, with the erroneous assumption that trafficking would somehow be affected. Maybe it has, I would like to see those numbers. I have been a sex worker activist/advocate for over 13 years, and little legislation that has ever gone into effect for our or trafficked people's safety has ever had a positive impact. This is for a myriad of reasons, mostly because no none ever asks us what our experiences are with safety might be, taking a paternalistic approach to "what's best".

Maybe now they will listen to what we've been saying for years and finally decriminalize sex work. Even if only to keep us off their lawns.


xo.

Well put, beautiful lady.

I used to be a counselor and case manager for people in the LGBT community and many of the trans women I knew had done street work.I don't remember anyone ever saying they had sex on other people's private residential property. That doesn't mean it wasn't happening, of course, but I never heard anyone mention *anything* like it. It just seems a little too brazen for people who are aware that what they're doing is against the law.

So, unless they're under the influence, which is possible, it seems like it could be staged. If it is, I think it may be to initiate public dialogue about the importance of decriminalizing "prostitution" and reinstating the online channels people used to find and vet their clients. And if this is true, then it's a brilliant idea.