General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTexas First State to Make Paying for Sex a Felony
Signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in June, the state Senate passed HB1540 unanimously on May 20. The law, which will go into effect on Sept. 1, charges those who pay for sex with a felony in an attempt to shift the blame away from those engaged in prostitution, who are often victims of sex trafficking. We know the demand is the driving force behind human trafficking, Texas state Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D), who authored the bill, told Click2Houston. If we can curb or stamp out the demand end of it, then we can save the lives of numerous persons.
There are conflicting views by experts as to whether the law will lead to system reform that aids trafficked sex workers or if it will only further harm them. This law is a rethinking of the traditional supply side in prosecutions that tended to target the women who were involved in these activities and not the buyers, Sandra Guerra Thompson, director of the Criminal Justice Institute at the University of Houston Law School, told NBC News Its also coming from a growing awareness that oftentimes, those involved are from a vulnerable class.
However, Kathleen Kim, a professor at Loyola Marymount University Law School who focuses on human trafficking, has an opposing view. Putting individual 'johns' in jail will do absolutely nothing for victims of trafficking, Kim said. "In fact, it harms them because evidence demonstrates that the more resources that go into law enforcement approach, the more that victims lose because resources that ought to be going towards things like victim benefits, social services support, and legal advocacy, is still unavailable and maybe even diminished because more resources are going toward a dominant criminal enforcement approach.
https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/567760-texas-is-first-state-to-make-paying-for-sex-a-felony
hlthe2b
(105,866 posts)Of course, they will turn a blind eye to RW politicos. Otherwise, the jails would be swamped.
leftyladyfrommo
(19,348 posts)Prostitution and sex Trafficking are illegal most places but they still thrive.
Casady1
(2,133 posts)a grudge against mankind for becoming confined to a wheelchair.
Me.
(35,454 posts)pushing his state back into the stone ages
rownesheck
(2,343 posts)because he couldn't dodge a tree branch while out jogging. Received a huge settlement which he still receives payment from. He sued the city and the homeowner. Later on he voted to limit the amount of money people could receive from a settlement. Of course, it was after he received his massive settlement. He got his. Fuck everyone else.
Now he is a murderous theocrat. Man, this fucker gets worse and worse.
getagrip_already
(17,077 posts)Gentlemen's clubs aside, prostitution is very popular in texas.
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)SWBTATTReg
(23,970 posts)heads will spin so fast afterwards when the republican-dominated legislature then claims that the the law didn't mean this or didn't mean that when this kind of thing happens to one of them. Just wait, I'll bet it'll happen...seems like anytime anyone of any republican political importance gets caught doing something illegal, nothing ever happens, e.g., trump, desantis and abbot (murder of their own state citizens by ignorant non-medical approved steps to slow/stop the spread of COVID, etc.
Despite the numerous measures to address sex/human trafficking in the past or in place now, nothing has seemed to work to tamp this down. My suggestion? Perhaps a living wage/decent starting pay instead of starvation rates for starting workers?
I know that this isn't the same thing, but look at how effective marijuana laws (felonies, etc.) have been, they haven't been.
I also wondered if the TX state legislature ever bothered to ask anyone in the field involved w/ handling human/sex trafficking on how to effectively handle this crisis, instead of being holier than thou, and passing these 'hit and miss by a mile' bills. I kind of think that they didn't since this seems to follow republican edicts on gaining the public's trust supposedly by continuing to pass anti-sin type of bills right and left, even though there really isn't a need for them, that is, make up their own reasons, make up their own facts to pass such bills. As I said, I predict that one of these idiot republican legislators will be caught red-handed by this bill...kind of will serve them right.
nolabear
(43,072 posts)Not kidding.
dutch777
(3,386 posts)Will be interesting to see if and how it is enforced.
msongs
(69,928 posts)11 Bravo
(24,067 posts)The blow job was a freebie.
dsc
(52,556 posts)but if that is going to happen the Johns should be at least as much of a target as the workers themselves.
dalton99a
(83,913 posts)solicitation of prostitution prevention program, regardless of
whether the defendant was convicted of the offense for which the
defendant entered the program or whether the court deferred further
proceedings without entering an adjudication of guilt, after notice
to the state and a hearing on whether the defendant is otherwise
entitled to the petition, including whether the required time
period has elapsed, and whether issuance of the order is in the best
interest of justice, the court shall enter an order of
nondisclosure of criminal history record information under
Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, as if the defendant
had received a discharge and dismissal under Article 42A.111, Code
of Criminal Procedure, with respect to all records and files
related to the defendant's arrest for the offense for which the
defendant entered the program if the defendant:
(1) has not been previously convicted of a felony
offense; and
(2) is not convicted of any other felony offense
before the second anniversary of the defendant's successful
completion of the program.
Sec. 169.005. REIMBURSEMENT FEES. (a) A first offender
solicitation of prostitution prevention program established under
this chapter may collect from a participant in the program a
nonrefundable reimbursement fee for the program in a reasonable
amount not to exceed $1,000, from which the following must be paid:
...
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/html/HB01540F.htm