News & Updates

Amnesty International’s support of fully decriminalized prostitution will further harm those in the sex trade

Amnesty International’s support of fully decriminalized prostitution will further harm those in the sex trade

We at Demand Abolition are deeply disappointed with a resolution the International Secretariat of Amnesty International passed on August 11, calling for full decriminalization of all aspects of what it terms “consensual” prostitution.

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Survivor Rachel Moran releases American edition of “Paid For”

Survivor Rachel Moran releases American edition of “Paid For”

Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution is the emotionally gripping memoir of sex trade survivor and anti-trafficking activist Rachel Moran. In it, she details the psychological costs she paid after being sold for sex on the streets of Ireland, night after night, from ages 15 to 22. Her story is a difficult one, recounting the […]

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WBUR: ”People don’t want to believe it’s happening here”

WBUR: ”People don’t want to believe it’s happening here”

WBUR covers the sex trade in Boston in this two-part series by Bob Oakes.

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President Carter asks Amnesty International to reject total decriminalization of sex-buying

President Carter asks Amnesty International to reject total decriminalization of sex-buying

In a personal appeal to Amnesty International delegates voting on the organization’s proposed policy advocating for full decriminalization of prostitution, including sex-buying, pimping, and brothel-owning, President Jimmy Carter has this to say: Download a hard copy of this letter.  To learn more about this issue, including Demand Abolition’s stance that prostituted people should be decriminalized […]

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Why LGBTQ leaders don’t support full decriminalization of prostitution

Why LGBTQ leaders don’t support full decriminalization of prostitution

Anytime policies concerning human rights are discussed, it’s important to listen to the voices of those most directly affected. In the case of prostitution, many who have survived the experience say it’s incredibly exploitive and damaging.

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Further reading on Amnesty International’s misguided support for full decriminalization of commercial sex

Further reading on Amnesty International’s misguided support for full decriminalization of commercial sex

The following were written by several different journalists, politicians, human rights activists, and experts on the harms of the illegal sex trade. Each details specific reasons why Amnesty International’s support for full decriminalization will not make the sex trade any safer for those involved. In fact, in many cases such actions could contribute to an […]

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Survivor Rachel Moran releases American edition of “Paid For”

Survivor Rachel Moran releases American edition of “Paid For”

Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution is the emotionally gripping memoir of sex trade survivor and anti-trafficking activist Rachel Moran. In it, she details the psychological costs she paid after being sold for sex on the streets of Ireland, night after night, from ages 15 to 22. Her story is a difficult one, recounting the […]

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No amnesty for sexual exploitation

No amnesty for sexual exploitation

Amnesty International is on the verge of approving a misguided resolution calling for total decriminalization of commercial sex. Demand Abolition stands with human rights activists and organizations from around the world opposing this policy. Such a move would legitimize the sexual exploitation of people across the globe, especially women and children. Amnesty’s decision-making entity, the International […]

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Critique of Amnesty International’s proposal on “sex work”

Critique of Amnesty International’s proposal on “sex work”

On August 7 , delegates from national sections of Amnesty International will vote on an organization-wide resolution calling for the decriminalization of commercial sex.

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CEASE Network in action

CEASE Network in action

The CEASE Network (Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation) is educating and deterring sex buyers all over America—taking on the predatory practices of sex-buying and sex trafficking at the source. Our motivation is simple: if no one buys sex, or is too afraid of the legal and social consequences to do so, sex-buying and sex trafficking […]

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U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously approves sex trafficking resolution with strong demand provisions

U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously approves sex trafficking resolution with strong demand provisions

Mayors from major US cities across the country, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York, came together to advocate for demand reduction tactics as an effective way to end commercial sexual exploitation. Over 270 mayors present at the 83rd Annual Conference of Mayors in San Francisco voted to pass the resolution, which specifically […]

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35 Mayors Support Fight Against Sex Trafficking

Mayors Sign Resolution to Target Demand for Paid Sex; Call on Federal Government to Provide Resources to Prosecute Sex Buyers and Traffickers and Support Victims SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 19, 2015—Thirty-five mayors from across the country, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York, came together today in support of demand reduction tactics to end commercial […]

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