Decriminalize Sex Work Philadelphia

The ACLU of Pennsylvania is advocating for the decriminalization of sex work in Philadelphia. The first stage of this campaign is to identify the challenges that impacted individuals experience due to the criminalization of "survival" sex work. There is limited data that supports how criminalizing sex work affects a person's ability to secure opportunities for employment, housing, adoption, or just live life in their community. We believe it is important to discuss how experienced sex workers in the Philadelphia area are impacted by oppressive and discriminatory systems and, as a result, often end up in the criminal legal system for trying to survive and secure basic needs.

What is Decriminalization?

Decriminalization means taking an act that is illegal and removing criminal penalties; for example, you don't get a criminal record for speeding, although you still have to pay the fine.

What is Sex Work?

Sex work may be formal or informal. In some instances, sex work is only a temporary informal activity. People who have occasional commercial sexual transactions or where sex is exchanged for food, shelter, or protection (survival sex) would not consider themselves to be linked with formal sex work. Occasional sex work takes place where sex is exchanged for basic, short-term economic needs and this is less likely to be a formal, full-time occupation. Commercial sex work may be conducted formally in organized settings from sites such as brothels, nightclubs, and massage parlors; or more informally by commercial sex workers who are street-based or self-employed.

* indicates required field

Disclaimer and Notice

The ACLU of Pennsylvania does not promote human sex trafficking but believes that the rights and civil liberties of individuals who willingly engage in sex work for survival should be protected.

This Survey does not give legal advice, and you should not rely on it as legal advice. You should not rely on the information you get from this site and should speak with a lawyer to get advice on your specific situation. We also cannot promise that the information on this site is complete, accurate, or up-to-date.

This Survey is not a solicitation or an offer by the American Civil Liberties Union and its affiliates to represent you. We cannot promise you that the information you provide will lead to any specific action on the American Civil Liberties Union or its affiliates part. Once you complete the survey, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania may not do anything—including contact you—about your situation.

If you fill out this Survey, you agree that the American Civil Liberties Union, the national ACLU or its affiliates, if identified as part of the Survey, or one of its coalition partners may use the information you give us, as long as we don’t include your name, address, email or phone number, for one or more of the following purposes: (1) legislative testimony, (2) litigation; (3) contacting a city, state or federal agency; or (4) telling your story to the public, including the media. If the American Civil Liberties Union, the national ACLU or its affiliates, or one of its coalition partners wants to identify you, we will contact you prior to doing so.

We will keep your name, address, telephone number and email confidential unless you give us permission to use it or unless we are ordered to turn it over by a court (although we will attempt to prevent any disclosure).

Leave this field blank