The Seattle City Council has recently passed a bill aimed at battling commercial sexual exploitation in the city, as reported by the Council's official website. With a vote of 8-1, the legislation spearheaded by Councilmember Cathy Moore of District 5 seeks to directly target the violence known to accompany such acts of exploitation, particularly along the notorious stretch of Aurora Ave N.
Under this new law, the selling, buying, or promotion of prostitution on the streets can quickly lead to trouble. Moore has been pushed to propose this legislation by her constituents, who have reportedly been trying desperately to cope with the rise in gun violence linked to commercial sexual exploitation. The bill also enables judges to enforce Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) orders against those buying and promoting the unlawful trade. "This afternoon's passage of the SOAP legislation is in direct response to what I've heard from my constituent for months," Councilmember Moore told the City Council.
Amendments during the Public Safety Committee discussions included removing sellers from potential SOAP orders, mandating police officer training on working with survivors, and creating arrest policies that prioritize diversion and referral to services over prosecution. This focus on traffickers and buyers, rather than those being sold for commercial sexual activity, reflects a broader citywide shift toward social service-based interventions.
Co-sponsor Council President Sara Nelson emphasized, "The increasingly violent nature of criminal sex trafficking along Aurora Ave. demands actions now." She highlighted in the Council statement that though the legislation isn't a "silver bullet," it does provide law enforcement with additional tools to quickly disrupt the criminal activity prevalent in the area and offer support to those being trafficked. Co-sponsor Councilmember Maritza Rivera stressed the focus on aiding the victims and the safety of the local community affected by the activities on North Aurora.
Background information on the Council's website details how the CSE legislation was initially spurred by a significant increase in visible commercial sexual exploitation and gun violence on Aurora Avenue North. Following a public committee hearing and several amendments, the bill passed unanimously in the September 10 committee session. If the mayor signs off on the new law, it will come into effect 30 days thereafter.
Survivors of commercial sexual exploitation have voiced their approval of the new legislation's focus on accountability rather than criminalization of the exploited. "As a survivor myself, I find it incredibly powerful that the new loitering law and SOAP bill have shifted focus away from criminalizing the exploited, and are now holding traffickers and buyers accountable. This change sends a clear message that the women and individuals we serve truly matter, and that the community stands behind them in the fight for justice," Sarah Ann Hamilton, Survivor and Director of Survivor Services at The More we love, expressed to the City Council. Community members and local business owners too have shown support, applauding the measures for aiming to ensure a safer environment for all.
