Help us stop racial and gender profiling in DC!

After 9 years in action, DC's Prostitution Free Zone Legislation has proven an intolerable failure.  Far from ending prostitution it has simply moved street work from downtown into our neighborhoods, increased racial and gender profiling, wasted resources, and perpetuated cycles of abuse, harassment and incarceration.  

The law is dangerous because it lowers the standard of evidence an officer requires to arrest someone on prostitution related offenses - meaning that "looking like a prostitute" or "engaging passers by in conversation", or visiting the HIPS outreach van could be enough evidence that an officer can require a person to leave the area or face arrest. This means that women of color, transgender women, and anyone who's skirt might be considered "too short" can be stopped, searched and told to leave an area -- even if they live there.  

Join us in calling for a more compassionate approach to addressing the issue of street prostitution and sex work. End the harmful and unconstitutional practice of Prostitution Free Zones and clear the way to put resources back into the community to offer reality based, proven services to victims of trafficking and sex workers on our streets. 

Please contact DC Council Members today and tell them you support the repeal of Prostitution Free Zones -- especially Judiciary Committee members Anita Bonds, Muriel Bowser, Mary Cheh, Jack Evans, and Tommy Wells and ask them to support the legislation!  

Please take a moment to take action today. 

Here's contact information for the Council:

Phil Mendelson - Chair 
[email protected] (202) 724-8032   

David A. Catania - Councilmember (At-Large) 
[email protected] (202) 724-7772   

Anita Bonds - Councilmember (At-Large) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8064  

David Grosso - Councilmember (At-Large) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8105

Vincent Orange - Councilmember (At-Large) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8174

Jim Graham - Councilmember (Ward 1) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8181   

Jack Evans - Councilmember (Ward 2) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8058   

Mary M. Cheh - Councilmember (Ward 3) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8062   

Muriel Bowser - Councilmember - (Ward 4) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8052 

Kenyan McDuffie - Councilmember (Ward 5) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8028   

Tommy Wells - Councilmember (Ward 6) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8072   

Yvette M. Alexander - Councilmember (Ward 7) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8068   

Marion Barry - Councilmember (Ward 8) 
[email protected] (202) 724-8045  

Have questions? Call HIPS or email [email protected]