Not your usual prostitution bust

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

This is a local article, but I was surprised by the more progressive approach taken to handling prostitution. The headline makes it sound like it is the usual bust up and jailing of prostitutes. If you read the article, you find out the approach taken was a little different.

http://www.sunjournal.com/sting-operation-targets-sex-trafficking-in-downtown-lewiston/

"Officers asked each woman why she was on the street, whether someone had been compelling her to get cash for sex, then sent them to meet with an advocate who offered shelter and snacks. "

"Maine law says anyone compelled to engage in sex for money isn’t guilty. Compulsion includes withholding or threatening to withhold a scheduled drug or alcohol from someone who is dependent on those substances."

"The women who were arrested Wednesday weren’t taken to jail because state law says the crime of engaging in prostitution isn’t punishable by jail time. For that reason, it wouldn’t be lawful to incarcerate a woman charged with a crime that only is punishable by a fine, Walsh said."

It is a misdemeanor in Maine (no jail time) if a person was compelled into prostitution through addiction to drugs, alcohol, having to repay a debt, etc. I think some time in recent years that has changed. It's news to me anyhow. Have they changed the approach to dealing with prostitution in other areas of this country? How is it in your state?

[lpbk2713]

1. I hope this catches on.

These women (usually) are victims of crimes themselves.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

2. Yes, that was mentioned in the article too

More from the article

"Most people engaging in prostitution have a history of trauma, Walsh said, either sexual abuse as children or other abuse that has led to substance abuse.

“What we’re seeing is the symptom of a larger issue of what’s going on with poverty, trauma, possible history of sexual abuse, substance abuse disorder,” he said. “The way to compassionately address that and do justice and protect the community is what we’re trying to do.”"

[Ilsa]

3. I like the approach, but what happens after

they are released from custody? Do the women go into a program, or do their trumps pick them up? (Trump is my word for pimp on a morning like this.)

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

4. I don't know, but they refer them to an advocate

which is a person who could probably get them help or into a program if that's what they need.

[Ilsa]

5. I wonder how many are never heard from until

the next arrest unless they go immediately into a program? The pimp probably controls where they live.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

6. No idea, it seems like this is kind of a new approach

so I don't think there is any data on that just yet.