San Francisco Task Force
US PROS played a key role in the two year path-breaking Task Force on Prostitution set up by the city of San Francisco, which brought together sex workers, residents from prostitution areas, community groups, police. The Task Force recommended a shift in police priorities so that time and resources spent on arresting and prosecuting sex workers be redirected towards protection and services. After public hearings where sex workers spelled out the extent of violence against us and the lack of protection from the police and courts San Francisco City passed an historic resolution based on the Task Force recommendations. It calls for violence against sex workers to be vigorously prosecuted; and for the $7.6 million currently spent on enforcement of the prostitution laws to be redirected into services and resources.
Resolution from the City of San Francisco prioritizing protection over prosecution of sex workers
In
San Francisco, US PROS and others monitored the courts after they
released a serial rapist on bail and he attempted to murder a fourth
woman. Attending 30 pre-trial hearings over two years and weeks of trial, women's
pressure succeeded in getting him convicted.
Jack Bokin case: No woman is safe when prostitutes aren't safe
Police Raked for Handling of Prostitute Murder Cases
In Defense of Prostitute Women's Safety Project
The
Criminalization of Survival: Poverty, Violence and Prostitution
Street
Sheet, (San Francisco) June 2005
Petition Stop Violence
Against Prostitutes
Implement SF Task Force Recommendations on Prostitution
Criminalizing
sex workers makes them more vulnerable to violence
SFBayView.com May 05
Prostitutes, allies advocate safety for sex workers,
San Francisco Examiner, August 2000
Prostitutes
- And, All Women - Deserve Protection From Violence
San Francisco Chronicle Dec 2000