​Aka The Equality Model in New York State

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​Dignity and Justice for Survivors  ​​

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• Repeals §230.00, ending the wrongful arrests and incarceration of people in prostitution.

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• Provides vacatur and expungement of all past prostitution convictions.

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• The STSJEA removes barriers for survivors to accessing social services, finding employment, or seeking aid from law enforcement due to fear of judgement or past criminal records.​​​

 

​Sex Buyer Accountability and Survivor Relief​

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• Applies mandatory fines for patronizing – scaled to income – which acts as a tool to prevent sex trafficking and finances the Victims of Sexual Exploitation Fund.

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• The Fund expands lifesaving programs for survivors, including health/mental health services, temporary and permanent housing placement, legal and immigration services, employment placement, and education and job training.

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• The SJSJEA shifts accountability from survivors to sex buyers and exploiters, shrinking the market for prostitution and preventing the exploitation of vulnerable communities.

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Trauma-Informed Training and Referral Pathways

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• Directs law enforcement to develop trauma-informed training, policies, and written procedures for recognizing and responding to trafficking and sexual exploitation.

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• Makes standardized training and procedures available statewide, creating a shared framework law enforcement to identify victims and connect them to supports.

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• The STSJEA expands a regionally diverse task force with representation from sex trade survivors and other advocates, to ensure access and administration of social services to people in prostitution across New York.