Cracking Down on Johns to reduce Prostitution Demand
July 6th, 2015 by Mike VasilindaState lawmakers have increased the penalties for people soliciting prostitutes. A second offense now requires at least ten days in jail. And as Mike Vasilinda tells us, those convicted must also pay for and attend a “johns” school.
Prostitution is said to be the worlds oldest profession. But here’s something you don’t often see…The woman working the corner is an undercover cop. In this file footage we witnessed two johns being arrested in just a few hours before noon.
Now state lawmakers are trying to reduce demand for prostitutes
by upping the penalties for soliciting. Meg Baldwin of the Refuge House, counsels domestic violence victims and says the new legislation is a huge step forward.
“One is that the bill recognizes that buying someone for sex is harmful” says Baldwin.
The first offense is now punishable by up to a thousand dollar fine…up from 500. Second and third offenses become felonies.
First offenders will now serve a hundred hours of community service, but a second offense will get you ten days here in the county jail.
The legislation was hailed by State Representative Jeanette Nunez and the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
“the wives and spouses…this will certainly be a wake up call for them” said Nunez at at recent meeting.
Domestic Violence counselors are especially keen on provisions that require Johns to pay for and attend an education program on prostitution and sex trafficking.
“The rate, the recidivism rate among johns who received these kinds of interventions is nearly zero” says Baldwin.
But for the law to succeed…police will need to divert more resources to enforcement…which hasn’t been on their front burner.
In 2013-14 only 336 people went to jail under the prostitution statute, but the statistics do not readily reveal how many of them were Johns.
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