This article posted by the Times of San Diego explains why Governor Newsome must veto SB 357 to fight sex trafficking in California. While the bill’s purchase seems innocuous enough, in that it was created to decriminalize loitering, those in the know understand that this law will then be used to legalize street prostitution, which would be a huge blow regarding fighting back against human trafficking. 

Criminals First

The legislation has already passed the Legislature and was waiting only on Gavin Newsom’s signature or veto. To those who understand how this law can be misused, it is clear that passing this bill will put criminals first and will alter the very fabric of life, negatively impacting children’s and communities’ futures. 

Street Prostitution

As it stood before SB 357, loitering in a public place with the intent of street prostitution was considered a misdemeanor. If the bill is passed, this will be the case no more, and it will take the right away from law enforcement to intervene when they suspect prostitution. As a result, this will make it much harder to bust up sex trafficking rings, make it easier for violent predators to continue their crimes, and will fail to protect trafficking victims. 

Throwing a Gas on a Flame

This legislation could not come at a worse time or in a worse area. San Diego currently sits as the nation’s second-largest corridor for human trafficking. The COVID shutdowns also place more kids than ever before online, where they could be groomed and manipulated by those who work with human trafficking rings. Therefore, now more than ever before, laws should be made tougher for those who are part of these crimes, while this bill will in essence take some of the pressure off them and limit what law enforcement can do to keep citizens safe. 

Add to this the fact that if a criminal has already been convicted of prostitution or a related crime, they could be released from incarceration or have their convictions overturned, sending them back into communities all over the county. This will only serve to make the criminals and the trafficking rings more powerful while those seeking to save children are left with fewer tools than ever before.