Understanding Prostitution in Somerville
Somerville, Massachusetts, like any urban area, is not immune to the presence of prostitution, an activity fraught with complex legal, social, and public health implications. This article provides a factual overview of the situation in Somerville, focusing on the legal framework, inherent risks, available support services, and the broader community context. It aims to inform residents and stakeholders about the realities while emphasizing harm reduction and legal pathways.
Is Prostitution Legal in Somerville, MA?
No, prostitution is illegal throughout Massachusetts, including Somerville. Engaging in or soliciting prostitution is a criminal offense. Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 272, Sections 53A (soliciting sex for a fee) and 53B (engaging in common night walking) explicitly criminalize both the buying and selling of sexual services. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment.
What are the specific laws against prostitution in Massachusetts?
The primary statutes are MGL c.272, § 53A (arrest without warrant for sex for fee) and § 53B (common night walkers, common street walkers). Section 53A targets individuals who solicit or agree to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, while Section 53B often targets those perceived as offering sex in public spaces. Convictions can result in up to 6 months in jail and/or fines up to $500 for a first offense, with increased penalties for subsequent offenses.
How are these laws enforced in Somerville?
Somerville Police Department (SPD) conducts enforcement operations targeting both sex workers and buyers (“johns”). This often involves undercover operations in areas historically associated with street-based sex work. Enforcement priorities can shift, sometimes focusing more on buyers (demand reduction) or on connecting individuals involved in prostitution with social services.
What are the Health Risks Associated with Prostitution?
Individuals involved in prostitution face significant health risks, including exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), physical violence, substance use issues, and severe mental health challenges like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Lack of access to consistent healthcare exacerbates these problems.
What STIs are most commonly associated with sex work?
High-risk sexual behaviors increase vulnerability to STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes (HSV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and HIV. Consistent and correct condom use reduces but doesn’t eliminate risk. Access to regular, non-judgmental STI testing and treatment is crucial but often difficult for those involved in illegal activities.
How does violence impact individuals in prostitution?
Violence is a pervasive threat. Sex workers face high rates of physical assault, sexual assault, robbery, and even homicide. Vulnerability is heightened by the illegal nature of the work, stigma, working in isolated locations, involvement with exploitative third parties, and substance use. Reporting violence to police is often hindered by fear of arrest or retaliation.
Where Does Street-Based Prostitution Occur in Somerville?
Street-based prostitution in Somerville has historically been concentrated in specific industrial/commercial corridors, often near major transportation routes like McGrath Highway (Route 28) and areas bordering Cambridge or Boston. These locations offer some anonymity and transient traffic. However, patterns can shift due to police enforcement, development projects, and displacement from neighboring areas.
How has development affected these patterns?
Somerville’s significant development, particularly around Assembly Row and Union Square, has transformed many former industrial areas. This revitalization often displaces street-based activities, pushing them to adjacent, less developed streets or into neighboring municipalities. Gentrification increases visibility conflicts in changing neighborhoods.
Is online solicitation replacing street-based prostitution?
Yes, the internet has dramatically shifted the marketplace. Most solicitation for prostitution now occurs online through websites, social media platforms, and encrypted messaging apps. This reduces visible street activity but doesn’t eliminate associated risks like violence, exploitation, or trafficking. Online work offers more screening ability but also creates digital evidence trails.
What Support Services Exist for Sex Workers in Somerville?
Several organizations in the Greater Boston area offer critical support services tailored to individuals involved in sex work or exploitation, focusing on harm reduction, health, safety, and exiting. Key resources include access to healthcare, counseling, legal advocacy, and basic needs support.
Where can someone get healthcare and harm reduction supplies?
Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center (Fenway Health) in Boston specializes in care for youth and marginalized populations, offering non-judgmental medical services, STI/HIV testing and treatment, PrEP/PEP, mental health care, and harm reduction supplies (needles, condoms, naloxone). Somerville Health Department also provides free condoms and health resources.
Are there organizations specifically helping people exit prostitution?
My Life My Choice (Boston) is a leading organization focused on preventing the commercial sexual exploitation of adolescents and supporting survivors. They offer survivor-led mentoring, therapy, advocacy, and training. The Victim Rights Law Center provides free legal services to survivors of sexual assault, including those exploited in prostitution. The MA Attorney General’s Office also has resources for trafficking victims.
What is the Connection to Human Trafficking?
While not all prostitution involves trafficking, there is a significant overlap. Human trafficking for sexual exploitation involves force, fraud, or coercion. Vulnerable populations, including minors, immigrants, LGBTQ+ youth, and those experiencing poverty or addiction, are at highest risk in Somerville and surrounding areas.
How can I recognize potential signs of sex trafficking?
Signs include someone who: appears controlled or fearful, shows signs of physical abuse, has few personal possessions, lacks control over money/ID, lives where they work, is under 18 and involved in commercial sex, or has sudden changes in behavior/dress. Minors involved in prostitution are legally considered trafficking victims.
How do I report suspected trafficking in Somerville?
If you suspect immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (call/text) or text “HELP” to 233733 (BEFREE). You can also report anonymously to Somerville Police via their non-emergency line or online tip system. The MA State Police Human Trafficking Unit also investigates.
What is Somerville Doing to Address the Issue?
Somerville employs a multi-faceted approach involving law enforcement, public health, and social services. This includes SPD operations targeting demand and exploitation, collaboration with county and state task forces on trafficking, funding for social service providers, and public health initiatives focused on harm reduction and STI prevention.
Are there diversion programs instead of arrest?
Some jurisdictions implement “John Schools” or diversion programs for first-time buyers. While Somerville may refer cases to county programs, its primary focus has been traditional enforcement. There’s increasing advocacy for “decriminalization” of selling sex while increasing penalties for buying and trafficking, though this is not current law in MA.
How does the city support prevention and outreach?
Indirect support occurs through funding community health centers and non-profits working with at-risk populations. The Health Department engages in outreach related to STI prevention and harm reduction. Schools implement prevention curricula like those addressing healthy relationships and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Collaboration with community-based organizations is key.
What are the Broader Social and Economic Factors?
Prostitution in Somerville doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s influenced by systemic issues like poverty, lack of affordable housing, income inequality, substance use disorders, lack of access to healthcare (especially mental health), histories of trauma, discrimination against marginalized groups (LGBTQ+, immigrants), and gaps in the social safety net.
How does substance use intersect with sex work?
Substance use disorder is a significant factor for many involved in street-based prostitution, often as both a coping mechanism and a driver for needing income. This creates a dangerous cycle of addiction, exploitation, health risks, and legal problems. Access to effective, low-barrier substance use treatment is critical.
What impact does gentrification have?
Somerville’s rapid gentrification increases economic pressures on low-income residents, potentially pushing some towards survival sex. It also displaces visible street-based activity, making it less apparent but not necessarily reducing it, while sometimes increasing vulnerability as people move to less familiar or more isolated areas.