News / FJP Releases
Fair and Just Prosecution Releases Issue Brief and Model Policy Advocating for the Decriminalization of Consensual Sex Work
New resources provide critical guidance for prosecutors on supporting public safety, protecting civil rights, and reducing harm through decriminalization efforts.
March 26, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) — Today, Fair and Just Prosecution announced the release of a comprehensive issue brief and model policy designed to help elected prosecutors develop evidenced-based policies for decriminalizing consensual sex work. These new resources highlight the significant public safety and health benefits of decriminalizing sex workers and provide clear recommendations for how prosecutors can consider handling these cases in ways that limit both illegal trafficking and reduce threats against sex workers themselves.
“Every day, sex workers across the country face violence, exploitation, and a lack of basic human rights—all exacerbated by the laws meant to ‘protect’ them,” said FJP Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig. “By adopting policies that focus on promoting public health and public safety, we can better protect vulnerable individuals from violence, reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and ensure that limited law enforcement resources are directed toward protecting the public from people who pose a genuine threat to the public.”
FJP’s issue brief, titled “Decriminalizing Sex Work: Key Principles and Policy Recommendations for Prosecutors,” offers an in-depth analysis of the harms associated with the criminalization of sex work and outlines evidence-based recommendations for change. The brief emphasizes that consensual sex work and sex trafficking are distinct issues that require different legal approaches. Criminalizing consensual sex work, the brief notes, only drives sex workers away from seeking help from law enforcement, exacerbates their vulnerabilities, and undermines trust in our criminal legal system.
FJP’s new model policy is a resource for prosecutors seeking to make a difference on this issue. It offers guidance on creating policies to avoid unnecessary prosecution of consensual sex work while continuing to vigorously pursue cases involving violence, trafficking, and abuse of minors. The policy also provides guidance on expunging charges related to consensual sex work that may prevent vulnerable sex workers from seeking other employment opportunities. By decriminalizing consensual sex work, the policy encourages a focus on “public health and harm reduction rather than punitive measures.”
The call for decriminalization is backed by a growing coalition of advocates, including major human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and global public health NGOs such as UNAIDS. Polling data shows that a majority of Americans support the decriminalization of consensual sex work, reflecting a broader shift toward viewing sex work through a lens of human rights and public health.
FJP’s new resources represent a crucial step forward in the national dialogue on sex work. By equipping prosecutors with the tools and guidance to pursue decriminalization, FJP aims to ensure the criminal legal system prioritizes the safety, dignity, and rights of all individuals involved in the sex trade.
Read the full issue brief and model policy.