Decrim NY Condemns Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for Escalating Violence Against Sex Workers in Jackson Heights
Contact: Jared Trujillo, decrim-ny@decrim-ny.org, 708.623.3928
The SVSTA Would Decriminalize Adult Consensual Sex Work, While Maintaining Laws
That Prohibit Sex Trafficking, Sexual Assault, And Sex with Minors. Critically, This Bill
Would Vacate Prior Prostitution Related Arrest Records, Allowing Workers to Find
Housing, Other Employment, Benefits, and Other Necessities.
New York, NY — Decrim NY strongly condemns the decision by Governor Kathy Hochul and
Mayor Eric Adams to deploy law enforcement to Jackson Heights, Queens, which has led to the targeted harassment and arrests of sex workers–-many of whom are non-citizens, transgender, or people of color. These actions are nothing more than a political stunt to deflect attention from Adams’ recent legal troubles, diverting focus from his failures while further endangering marginalized communities.
Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams’ actions perpetuate cycles of violence, incarceration, and stigma, driving vulnerable individuals deeper into unsafe conditions, further isolating them from essential support services, and increasing the risk of exploitation and trafficking. Law enforcement has a documented history of exploiting sex workers, especially in Queens. Rather than criminalizing individuals already struggling, the city and state should focus on providing resources, housing, and protection for these communities.
Data Shows Criminalization Makes Communities Less Safe
Research consistently demonstrates that increased policing and criminalization of sex work do not create safer communities. Data from cities worldwide that have decriminalized or taken public health approaches to sex work show that decriminalization reduces violence, improves public health outcomes, and strengthens relationships between communities and law enforcement.
● The current policing of sex work disproportionately affects Black, brown, and Asian communities. SVSTA aims to put an end to discriminatory, harmful, and violent policing that targets people of color.
● A comprehensive study conducted in The Lancet found that decriminalizing sex work could prevent 33-46% of HIV infections among sex workers and their clients over the next decade.
● In New Zealand, where sex work was decriminalized in 2003, there has been no increase in trafficking, and sex workers report improved safety and relationships with law enforcement.
● A 2020 report by Amnesty International also supports decriminalization as the most effective approach to reducing violence and protecting the rights of sex workers.
By relying on criminalization and increased police presence, New York City risks perpetuating cycles of poverty, trauma, and incarceration for sex workers. Studies from around the world show that arresting and harassing sex workers only drives the industry further underground, making it harder for those in the trade to access resources, legal protections, and health services.
Policing Does Not Address Root Causes of Crime
A recent NY Post article implies that sex work is the source of crime in Jackson Heights. This oversimplification ignores the root causes of systemic inequality, such as economic instability, housing insecurity, and lack of employment opportunities, that push people into informal economies. Instead of deploying state troopers, New York should invest in affordable housing, healthcare access, mental health services, and employment opportunities for marginalized communities.
The criminalization of sex work further entangles individuals in the justice system, leaving them with criminal records that hinder future employment prospects, pushing them deeper into poverty. We urge Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to consider the voices of community members and sex workers themselves, many of whom have long called for the decriminalization of sex work and the protection of human rights for all New Yorkers.
A Call for Evidence-Based Policy Solutions
The Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act (SVSTA) S4396 (Salazar)/A8605A (Souffrant Forrest) is not just a solution to improve working conditions for sex workers—it is a necessary step in advancing human rights, ending violence, and addressing deep-rooted racial and economic inequalities. By decriminalizing consensual adult sex work, SVSTA shifts the focus from punishment to protection, allowing for safer and more dignified lives for those in the sex trades.
Decriminalization empowers sex workers to screen clients, negotiate condom use, and work collaboratively without the fear of criminalization, thereby reducing coercion and promoting safety. SVSTA does not repeal statutes targeting trafficking, the sexual exploitation of minors, or violence and coercion. Instead, it upholds the principle that consenting adults engaged in sex work can be protected against force, fraud, or coercion, ensuring a safer and more dignified workplace.
SVSTA also addresses the long-term consequences of criminal convictions by providing post-conviction relief through automatic sealing provisions. This step helps alleviate the economic insecurity, deportation risks, and housing instability caused by past criminalization. Moreover, the bill aims to end the discriminatory, harmful, and violent policing that disproportionately targets Black, Brown, and Asian communities.
Decrim NY calls for the immediate withdrawal of state and local troops from Jackson Heights and urges Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to invest in community-based solutions that prioritize the safety, health, and well-being of sex workers. We demand an end to the criminalization of sex work and the creation of policies at the City and State level that respect the autonomy and rights of all workers, regardless of occupation.
About Decrim NY
Decrim NY is a coalition of sex workers, survivors of trafficking, organizations, advocates, and allies fighting to decriminalize, destigmatize, and protect the rights of people in the sex trades. We believe in community-led solutions that prioritize the health, safety, and dignity of all people, and work to dismantle harmful policing and criminalization practices. More than 80 community organizations have signed a letter in support of the Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act, which would decriminalize sex work. More than 100 scientists who research sex work have noted that comprehensive decriminalization is the only way to elevate workers.
