No, prostitution is illegal throughout Wisconsin under Wisconsin Statute 944, which classifies soliciting, patronizing, or promoting prostitution as misdemeanor or felony offenses. Janesville Police Department conducts regular sting operations targeting sex buyers and traffickers.

Wisconsin employs a three-tiered legal approach: Solicitation (up to 9 months jail), Patronizing prostitutes (felony for repeat offenses), and Trafficking (Class D felony). The “John School” diversion program offers first-time offenders education about exploitation impacts. Recent enforcement focuses on disrupting online solicitation via platforms like SkipTheGames and Listcrawler.

First-time solicitation charges carry up to 9 months jail and $10,000 fines, with mandatory court appearances and potential vehicle forfeiture. Penalties escalate sharply: Third offenses become Class H felonies with 6-year prison sentences.

Beyond legal consequences, arrests trigger collateral damage: Public exposure through police press releases, job loss, and mandatory STI testing. Judges frequently order GPS monitoring and “no contact” zones around schools. Rock County’s Special Investigations Unit collaborates with state patrol on highway sting operations, particularly near I-90 rest stops.

Traffickers exploit Janesville’s highway network and transient populations, with victims often recruited through fake job ads or romantic manipulation. The National Human Trafficking Hotline identifies I-90/I-39 corridors as high-risk zones.

Local patterns show seasonal trafficking surges during county fair events and holiday seasons. Signs include motel transactions near Milton Avenue, sudden behavioral changes in youth, and “branding” tattoos. Project Respect partners with Janesville schools to train staff on identification protocols. In 2023, Rock County’s Human Trafficking Task Force assisted 17 victims – 65% were Wisconsin natives groomed online.

HealthNet of Rock County provides confidential STI testing and counseling at 2000 Center Avenue, while Catholic Charities offers exit programs with housing assistance. Wisconsin’s Safe Harbor law shields minors from prosecution.

Critical resources include:

• Health Services: Mercyhealth’s Project RED (Reduce Exploitation and Demand) offers trauma-informed care
• Legal Aid: ABC for Health assists with vacating prostitution convictions
• Emergency Housing: GIFTS Men’s Shelter accepts male trafficking survivors
• Addiction Support: Rock County Human Services coordinates treatment programs

Outreach workers conduct weekly safety checks at known solicitation areas like Franklin Street underpasses.

Street-based sex workers experience violence at 10x the national average according to Mercyhealth ER data. Limited healthcare access exacerbates STI transmission – Rock County’s syphilis rates tripled since 2019.

Documented cases reveal intersecting crises: 78% of local sex workers struggle with opioid addiction, leading to needle-sharing risks. Mercyhealth’s Street Medicine team distributes naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips at known meeting spots. Mental health impacts include PTSD (diagnosed in 63% of Project Respect clients) and complex trauma from frequent assault. Free clinics provide hepatitis B vaccinations and PrEP access.

Underground platforms like Doublelist and CityxGuide facilitate discreet transactions, using code words like “car dates” or “outcalls”. Providers often rent short-term apartments near the Mall Drive area.

Law enforcement tracks digital footprints through burner phone registrations and payment apps. Detectives note increased use of cryptocurrency for deposits. Recent operations revealed traffickers using gaming platforms (Discord, Steam) to recruit minors. The Rock County Cyber Crimes Unit monitors dark web forums linked to local IP addresses.

Neighborhood Watch programs target demand reduction through “John Spotting” hotlines and license plate documentation. The Janesville City Council funds diversion programs instead of incarceration.

Key initiatives include:

• Demand Reduction: “We’re Not Buying It” billboards along Highway 14
• Victim Support: YWCA Rock County’s PATH program (Providing Access to Healing)
• Business Collaboration: Motel 6 and Best Western staff training on trafficking signs
• Youth Prevention: School-based curricula from Groundswell Conservancy

Faith communities operate outreach vans distributing hygiene kits with resource hotlines.

Call 911 for immediate danger or 888-373-7888 for the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Anonymous tips can be submitted via Janesville PD’s Text-a-Tip line at 847411 (keyword JPDTIP).

Document critical details safely: License plates, physical descriptions, location patterns. Avoid confrontation – Rock County’s Special Investigations Unit handles coordinated responses. Since 2021, community tips led to 32 trafficking-related convictions. Resources like the WI DOJ’s “BeFree” app enable discreet photo/video documentation. Survivor advocates recommend focusing on victim safety over evidence collection when reporting.