WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester City Council backed a resolution supporting “An act to strengthen justice and support for sex trade survivors.”

Nicole Bell, Executive Director of Living in Freedom Together [LIFT] in Worcester, says the bill is being proposed by the survivor-led Emma Coalition. The bill includes support for prostituted people no longer being criminalized or arrested,  eliminates any past prostitution convictions, and changes the fines for those who solicit sex to a sliding scale based on income. 

The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester), State Rep. Mary Keefe (D-15th Worcester) and State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-10th Hampden).

Bell says white men with disposable income make up a large percentage of the clientele. She says the bill also establishes an interagency committee under health and human services to create exit programs for prostituted people. 

“This isn't a bill that we just lackadaisical put together. This is a bill based on legislation that has been really effective in other countries to advance gender equity, to advance the reduction of trafficking, to advance the reduction of prostitution. It's actually been implemented now in over 10 countries around the country and it is the way forward,” Bell said.

Bell says they will be holding a Worcester town hall with legislators and agency supporters later this month and then hope to hold a statewide event bringing in global experts.