Seattle City Council passes legislation combatting commercial sexual exploitation

Today the Seattle City Council passed by an 8-1 vote Councilmember Cathy Moore's (District 5) bill to fight commercial sexual exploitation and the violence associated with it. The legislation includes a prohibition on loitering for buying, selling or promoting prostitution, as well as a separate provision that allows a judge to issue a Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) order for buyers and/or promoters.

"This afternoon's passage of the SOAP legislation is in direct response to what I've heard from my constituent for months. It's a victory for the safety of our community n along Aurora Ave N who have experienced escalating gun violence directly related to commercial sexual exploitation and pleaded for action by the city. This legislation also sends a clear message to those who perpetuate and profit from the harm and trauma of commercial sexual exploitation that there will now be consequences for their actions," said Councilmember Moore. "I want thank Councilmember Kettle for his support of this legislation and for hearing it in the Public Safety Committee. I also want to thank my colleagues for their ongoing focus in improving public safety throughout our community and for exploring new thoughtful tools to protect our neighborhoods."

In response to community feedback, amendments during Public Safety Committee discussions also added limiting potential SOAP orders to buyers and promoters (by removing sellers), requiring development of training for police officers on trauma informed best practices for working with survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in consultation with survivor groups, and creating arrest policies that explicitly state diversion and referral to service, treatment, and safe housing is the preferred approach for prostitution loitering for sellers. Four amendments adopted during today's meeting focused on performance measures and reporting requirements.

"The increasingly violent nature of criminal sex trafficking along Aurora Ave. demands actions now," said co-sponsor Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9). "The provisions in this legislation give officers the opportunity to offer services to the women and girls (primarily) who are being trafficked and target the pimps who prey upon them. Bottom line: doing nothing is not an option and, while not a silver bullet, this bill establishes additional tools to disrupt the criminal activity that is concentrated along the corridor."

"This bill has been thoughtfully designed to protect the women who are being victimized and the underage girls who are being trafficked for prostitution. It emphasizes diversion, referrals to social services, placement in safe houses, and other alternatives to booking while giving the Seattle Police Department more tools to get the pimps and johns off the streets and reduce the unacceptable gun violence we have been seeing in the neighborhoods around North Aurora. It is about the safety of the women and minors who are being exploited, and the safety of the neighbors and nearby schools that are being affected," said co-sponsor Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4).

Background

Councilmember Moore proposed the CSE legislation after a loud outcry from Aurora Avenue North neighborhoods. The area has seen a dramatic increase in visible commercial sexual exploitation, escalating reported gunfire and general violence associated with it.

The CSE legislation received its first public hearing during the Aug. 13, Public Safety meeting. At that meeting, Councilmember Moore gave a presentation documenting the critical public safety issues, including gun violence, happening on Aurora Avenue connected with commercial sexual exploitation. The amended version was passed unanimously during the Sept. 10 committee.

Additional background information, including the full text of the bill, is available in the council packet materials.

Next Steps

If signed by the mayor, the new law will go into effect 30 days after the date of his signature.

Additional Quotes

"As a survivor myself, I find it incredibly powerful that the new loitering law and SOAP bill have shifted focus away from criminalizing the exploited, and are now holding traffickers and buyers accountable. This change sends a clear message that the women and individuals we serve truly matter, and that the community stands behind them in the fight for justice.

"With these changes, we have the opportunity to be that intervention for others, offering real support and resources instead of punishment. By removing the blame from the survivors and placing it on those responsible for their harm, we can begin to offer hope and healing, creating a system that uplifts rather than condemns. This is a crucial step toward a future where survivors can trust that their community will show up for them, and where exploitation is no longer tolerated." - Sarah Ann Hamilton, Survivor and Director of Survivor Services at The More we love

"The last two years we have seen an uptick in violence in our community through a prostitution turf war caused by the pimps. We have had neighbors assaulted and put in the hospital along with street sex workers being shot. This bill is a starting point to making sure our community gets back on track to provide a safe area for everyone who lives, works, and visits the neighborhood. I applaud Cathy Moore and her team for coming out and working with the neighborhood and also listening to those opposing the bill to build out a harm reducing way to make sure that the area is safer for everyone." - Trey, neighbor who lives near Aurora

"Women and girls are being brought here against their will and they deserve to be safe. I'm tired of witnessing these women being chased, harassed, and endangered by pimps and johns. Our neighbors, customers, and workers on Aurora deserve a safe environment free of the violence that comes with commercial sexual exploitation. I welcome legislation that gets the violent pimps out of here, and provides the trafficking victims with an exit door toward a more solid future." - Dana, business owner on Aurora

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