The Womxn Project is a 501c4 that works toward ensuring bodily autonomy in Rhode Island. The movement we stand behind is based on creating a culture that embraces the human dignity of all people living in Rhode Island and beyond.
The Womxn Project believes that engaging in sex work is a choice that falls under the value of bodily autonomy, which we wholly support. Currently, sex workers who have been a victim of or witness to a violent crime do not report those crimes to the police out of fear of being arrested. According to research, 88% of RI sex workers have reported that they were witness to or victim of a serious crime they did not report to the police. Of those who did report, 6% were arrested and 12% were threatened with arrest. If there were an immunity law in place to protect sex workers, 80% of those surveyed said they would report serious crimes to police.
Any attempts to promote public safety or end sex trafficking must allow all sex workers to report crimes, including sex trafficking, without being charged with prostitution or massaging without a license. Bill H7307 accomplishes this, and I urge you to support it to protect the dignity and safety of those living within Rhode Island’s borders.