Is prostitution legal in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin?

No, prostitution is illegal throughout Wisconsin, including Ashwaubenon. Wisconsin state law explicitly prohibits patronizing prostitutes, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, and soliciting or engaging in prostitution. Ashwaubenon law enforcement actively investigates and prosecutes these offenses. Engaging in or soliciting prostitution is a serious crime, not a minor violation.

The relevant Wisconsin statutes include:

• Wis. Stat. § 944.30 – Patronizing Prostitutes: Penalizes individuals who pay or agree to pay for sexual contact or intercourse. This is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, escalating to a Class I felony for subsequent offenses within specific timeframes.
• Wis. Stat. § 944.32 – Soliciting Prostitutes: Applies to individuals who offer or agree to perform sexual acts for payment. Penalties mirror those for patronizing (Class A misdemeanor, escalating to Class I felony).
• Wis. Stat. § 944.34 – Keeping Place of Prostitution: Targets those who manage, own, or operate premises knowing they are used for prostitution. This is a Class I felony.
• Wis. Stat. § 944.36 – Pandering: Criminalizes inducing or persuading someone to become a prostitute. This is also a Class I felony.

Ashwaubenon Police Department, often coordinating with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and other regional task forces, conducts patrols and targeted operations, particularly in areas known for solicitation or near venues attracting transient populations (like hotels near the Resch Center or Lambeau Field). Enforcement aims to deter activity and apprehend those involved in both the buying and selling of sex.

What are the legal consequences of soliciting a prostitute in Ashwaubenon?

Soliciting a prostitute in Ashwaubenon results in significant criminal penalties and long-lasting collateral consequences. Being arrested for “Patronizing Prostitutes” (Wis. Stat. § 944.30) is not a trivial matter.

What happens if I’m arrested for soliciting?

Immediate consequences include arrest, booking, potential jail time, fines, and mandatory court appearances. Upon arrest, you will be processed at the Brown County Jail. For a first offense (Class A misdemeanor), potential penalties include:

• Fines: Up to $10,000.
• Jail Time: Up to 9 months.
• Driver’s License Revocation: Mandatory 6-month revocation.
• STI Testing: Court may order testing at your expense.
• Public Record: The arrest and conviction become public record, easily found online.

A second or subsequent offense within a certain period becomes a Class I felony, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to 3 years and 6 months, plus an 18-month license revocation.

What are the long-term impacts beyond court?

Beyond fines and jail, a conviction carries severe personal and professional stigma. A criminal record for soliciting can lead to job loss, difficulty finding future employment, damage to personal relationships and reputation, professional licensing issues, and restrictions on international travel. It may also impact child custody arrangements. The social and professional fallout is often far more damaging than the legal sentence itself.

What health risks are associated with prostitution in Ashwaubenon?

Engaging in commercial sex work significantly increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and experiencing violence. These risks affect both buyers and sellers and are inherent to the clandestine and unregulated nature of illegal prostitution.

What STIs are most prevalent?

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV are serious concerns. The lack of consistent condom use, multiple partners, and barriers to accessing regular healthcare in underground sex work contribute to high transmission rates. Brown County Public Health regularly reports concerning levels of STIs. Many infections can be asymptomatic initially but lead to severe long-term health problems like infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, neurological damage (syphilis), or chronic illness (HIV).

How common is violence against sex workers?

Sex workers face alarmingly high rates of physical and sexual violence, robbery, and exploitation. Isolation, fear of police due to criminalization, and client anonymity create a dangerous environment. Sex workers are often targeted because perpetrators believe they won’t report the crimes. This vulnerability is a major public health and safety issue.

Where can individuals involved in prostitution get help in Ashwaubenon?

Several local organizations offer confidential support, healthcare, and pathways out of the sex trade. Seeking help is crucial for health, safety, and escaping exploitation.

Where can I get free STI testing?

Brown County Public Health and Bellin Health offer confidential and often low-cost or free STI testing. It’s vital to get tested regularly if you are sexually active, especially with multiple partners. Brown County Public Health (300 S. Adams St, Green Bay) provides testing and treatment. Bellin Health FastCare locations and some Planned Parenthood clinics in the Green Bay area also offer these services. Testing is confidential.

Are there resources for victims of trafficking or exploitation?

Yes, organizations like Golden House and the Sexual Assault Center specifically help victims of exploitation and trafficking. If you are being forced, coerced, or manipulated into sex work, you are a victim of trafficking. Key resources include:

• Golden House (Green Bay): Provides comprehensive domestic abuse services, including support for victims of trafficking and exploitation (24/7 Hotline: 920-432-4244).
• Sexual Assault Center (Green Bay): Offers crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling for victims of sexual violence, including commercial sexual exploitation (24/7 Hotline: 920-432-4400).
• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Human Trafficking Resources: Provides information and referrals statewide (dcf.wisconsin.gov/humantrafficking).

These organizations offer safety planning, counseling, legal advocacy, and connections to housing and job training without judgment.

How does prostitution impact the Ashwaubenon community?

Illegal prostitution contributes to neighborhood decline, strains law enforcement, and fuels associated criminal activity. Its presence affects residents and businesses beyond the immediate participants.

Does it affect local neighborhoods and businesses?

Yes, areas known for solicitation often experience increased crime, decreased property values, and a diminished sense of safety. Residents report concerns about loitering, public indecency, drug activity often linked to prostitution, litter (like used condoms), and feeling unsafe walking in their neighborhoods. Businesses near these areas can suffer from decreased patronage due to customer discomfort.

What related crimes are common?

Prostitution is frequently linked to drug trafficking, robbery, assaults, and human trafficking. Individuals involved in prostitution may be forced into it to support addictions, making them vulnerable to drug dealers. Pimps and traffickers use violence and coercion. Buyers can become targets for robbery. This interconnected criminal activity diverts significant police resources away from other community needs.

How can I report suspected prostitution or trafficking in Ashwaubenon?

Report suspicious activity discreetly to the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department or specialized hotlines. Your information can help law enforcement combat exploitation and improve community safety.

What details should I provide to the police?

Provide specific, factual observations without confrontation. Note the exact location, date, time, descriptions of people involved (gender, height, build, hair color, clothing, distinctive features), vehicle descriptions (make, model, color, license plate if possible), and specific behaviors observed (e.g., “female approached vehicle, brief conversation, male handed cash, female entered car”). Do not intervene directly.

Are there anonymous reporting options?

Yes, you can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Contact Brown County Crime Stoppers at 920-432-7867 (STOP) or submit a tip online at www.browncountycrimestoppers.org. For suspected human trafficking specifically, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233733 (BEFREE). These hotlines are confidential.

What support exists for someone wanting to leave prostitution?

Leaving prostitution is challenging, but dedicated local and state programs offer comprehensive support. Assistance focuses on safety, health, stability, and building a new life.

What kind of practical help is available?

Support includes emergency shelter, counseling, job training, education assistance, and help securing stable housing. Organizations like Golden House provide emergency shelter for those fleeing violence or exploitation. Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and local job centers (like the Bay Area Workforce Development Board) offer job training and placement services. Programs like Wisconsin Works (W-2) can provide temporary financial aid and case management. Caseworkers help navigate these resources.

Is mental health support accessible?

Absolutely. Trauma-informed counseling is critical and available through local agencies. The Sexual Assault Center offers specialized therapy for survivors of sexual violence and exploitation. Brown County Community Treatment Centers provide mental health and substance abuse counseling. Organizations understand the complex trauma associated with prostitution and provide non-judgmental care. Many services operate on a sliding fee scale.

What’s the difference between escort services and illegal prostitution in Ashwaubenon?

The legality hinges entirely on the exchange of money specifically for sexual acts. Wisconsin law makes no distinction based on labels like “escort”; it focuses on the transaction.

When does an escort service become illegal prostitution?

It becomes illegal the moment money is exchanged specifically for sexual contact or intercourse. Legitimate, legal companion services (escorts) charge solely for time and companionship – activities like attending events, dinners, or conversations. Any agreement, explicit or implied, where payment is contingent upon sexual activity constitutes illegal prostitution under Wis. Stat. § 944.30 or § 944.32, regardless of how the service advertises itself. Law enforcement investigates based on the nature of the transaction, not the business name.

Can law enforcement target escort ads?

Yes, online ads are frequently used as evidence in investigations and prosecutions. Ashwaubenon and Brown County law enforcement actively monitor online platforms known for solicitation. Undercover operations often start by responding to ads. Posting an ad offering sexual services for payment, or responding to one with the intent to pay for sex, can be grounds for arrest. Digital evidence is commonly used in court.