This strategy was aided by a shift of public opinion about the reality of sextrafficking. It is the result of years-long work by advocates for victims and legislators focused on dispelling myths.It is not about one state. I believe it is about how we understand sexual exploitation and violence nationally. Esperanza Fonseca is a survivor of sex trafficking who is now an advocate for World Without Exploitation. Right now across the country we either view people involved in prostitution criminals or as free agents. We don't offer any help or services to them.She said that if this bill passes, it would be a major victory for our movement. It would also help set the tone for how the country deals with this huge problem.Mills, a Democrat could be influenced by local opposition to the legislation, which is opposed by concerns that pimps might take advantage of this new system.Advocates for the model insist that decriminalization of the crime is the solution. They claim that victims of sexual trafficking are scared of being arrested by law enforcement and subject to criminal punishment. This can lead them to be trapped in abusive and dangerous situations. They argue that decriminalizing prostitution charges is crucial to reduce stigma and make it easier for participants to come forward. Their work is dependent on an education piece that focuses on the disproportionate number of people involved in sex trading: low-income women and girls, as well as members of the LGBTQ community.Lauren Hersh, an anti-trafficking activist and former New York prosecutor, said, "When I discuss this with people, I get asked if I have to be concerned about my child being snatched up." Because a person is vulnerable, they are preyed upon by a pimp and trafficker and forced into the sex trade.Hawaii passed a law last week that does not go as far as the Maine bill. However, some supporters still consider it progress. The statute of limitations for sextrafficking is now removed. It was previously valid for six years. It also separates sex buyers and sellers of sex. Previously, they were conflated so that alleged offenders could be found guilty.This legislation is a significant piece of legislation because it changes the ideology. Khara Jabola Carolus, executive director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women (a statewide feminist agency), said that this law is a landmark piece of legislative. Instead of women and LBGTQ being blamed for prostitution it is women and LGBTQ being exploited based upon their marginalization.Supporters of Mills' move to change in Maine are anticipating the passage of the Hawaii law. According to Nate Walsh (a Maine prosecutor who wrote the legislation), the state is a major trafficking hub. People from Maine are often recruited from rural areas and then transported to major cities such as New York and Boston.Walsh has found that the threat of prosecution is not the best way to get those charged with prostitution to cooperate with law enforcement. Walsh began to advocate for compassionate treatment for victims.He said that you are really trying to reduce trauma, and to minimize harm to victims.The bill would make soliciting minors to prostitution a misdemeanor and a felony. It would seal the records of those convicted on prostitution charges, repeal the criminal penalties for trafficking victims and create a working group to discuss what services should be offered to survivors.We want to ensure that people who formally engage with this activity mostly for survival purposes don't face any past convictions, stated Lois Galgay Reckitt (state representative), a Democrat and the bill sponsor.She said that she views this bill as an anti-trafficking bill. It will deter trafficking to the extreme, I believe.Similar legislation was introduced in New York City, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Louisiana but has not advanced.Maine's residents are not all on board. Dee Clarke is a trafficking survivor who founded Survivor Speak USA anti-trafficking organization. He called it a bad bill.Clarke stated that it is more dangerous for youth to decriminalize prostitution. It is amazing to think that Maine tried to protect its youth from being exploited, trafficked and preyed upon until they were 18. They are clever and strategic traffickers. They will exploit the decriminalization to their advantage.This rift in Maine is a sign of deep divisions within sex trade groups over the best approach to dealing the underground network. While some sex workers advocates are firm supporters of decriminalization for both buyers and sellers, others might prefer to maintain prostitution penalties and offer more assistance to those who need it.Cristiano Eduardo, a survivor who is also an anti-trafficking advocate, stated that the sex trade can be complex. It's not about listening to one voice; it's about hearing all voices.
