Is Prostitution Legal in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin?
No, prostitution is illegal throughout Wisconsin, including Ashwaubenon. Under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 944, soliciting, patronizing, or operating prostitution establishments carries felony charges with penalties up to 3.5 years imprisonment and $10,000 fines. Ashwaubenon police conduct regular sting operations along industrial corridors near Holmgren Way and Packerland Drive.
Wisconsin employs a three-tiered legal approach: (1) Solicitation (Class H felony), (2) Pandering (Class F felony), (3) Trafficking minors (Class C felony). Brown County prosecutors frequently charge offenders under Wisconsin Statute 940.302 for trafficking adults using hotels near Austin Straubel Airport. Recent enforcement data shows 17 prostitution-related arrests in Ashwaubenon during 2023, primarily through online decoy operations.
What Are the Penalties for Soliciting Prostitutes in Ashwaubenon?
First-time solicitation convictions typically bring $1,500 fines, 100-hour community service, and mandatory STI testing. Subsequent offenses escalate to felony charges with minimum 6-month jail terms. Vehicles used in solicitation may be impounded under Wisconsin Statute 973.075, with offenders liable for $500 towing fees.
Convictions trigger collateral consequences: mandatory registration on Wisconsin’s sex offender registry if minors were involved, driver’s license suspension, and permanent criminal records affecting employment. The Brown County DA’s Office reports 92% conviction rates for prostitution cases involving electronic evidence from platforms like SkipTheGames and Listcrawler.
What Risks Do Prostitutes Face in Ashwaubenon?
Sex workers in Ashwaubenon face violence rates 200% higher than national averages according to Wisconsin Department of Justice data. Common dangers include client assaults (38% prevalence), robbery (27%), police entrapment (19%), and trafficking coercion (16%). Industrial zones near the Fox River see highest incident reports.
How Prevalent is Sex Trafficking in Ashwaubenon?
Brown County confirmed 47 trafficking cases in 2023, with Ashwaubenon comprising 22% due to its highway access and hotel density. Traffickers commonly operate through illicit massage businesses along South Oneida Street and transient motels on Packerland Drive. The Human Trafficking Department of Wisconsin identifies I-41 as a major trafficking corridor.
Trafficking indicators include minors in hotel corridors late at night, barred windows at massage parlors, and workers lacking personal identification. Report suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) or Ashwaubenon PD’s anonymous tip line (920-492-2992).
Where to Find Help Exiting Prostitution in Brown County?
Freedom House (920-435-2121) provides emergency shelter, counseling, and job training at confidential Green Bay locations. Their PATH program offers:
- 90-day transitional housing
- STI/HIV medical care partnerships with Bellin Health
- Record expungement legal aid through Legal Action Wisconsin
- Vocational training at NWTC
The Hope for Justice initiative operates outreach vans distributing hygiene kits and crisis resources near Ashwaubenon’s truck stops weekly.
What Community Programs Combat Prostitution?
Ashwaubenon’s “Safe Streets Task Force” combines law enforcement with social services:
| Program | Services | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Project Respect | Court diversion counseling | 920-436-8899 |
| STAR Program | Addiction treatment | 920-436-6800 |
| Street Angels | Mobile outreach | streetangelsgb.org |
Brown County’s “John School” requires solicitation offenders to attend 8-hour educational seminars on trafficking impacts ($500 fee funds victim services).
How Does Online Prostitution Operate in Ashwaubenon?
90% of Ashwaubenon’s prostitution solicitations originate from encrypted apps and classified sites. Common platforms include:
- Private Snapchat groups with “GB” (Green Bay) codes
- Telegram channels like “Fox Valley Friends”
- Backpage alternatives (Bedpage, YesBackpage)
Undercover officers monitor these platforms using geofencing technology to target Ashwaubenon-area ads. The Wisconsin DOJ’s cyber unit reports average response time of <2 hours for active solicitation posts.
Why Do Hotels Face Liability for Prostitution Activities?
Wisconsin’s Statute 125.51 holds hotels civilly liable if they knowingly allow prostitution. Ashwaubenon properties implement mandatory training including:
- Spotting frequent room changes
- Identifying trafficking indicators
- Reporting protocols to Ashwaubenon PD’s vice unit
Major hotels near the Resch Center now use AI monitoring software (Like Operation Sentinel) to flag suspicious patterns. Non-compliant properties risk liquor license revocation.
What Health Services Are Available to Sex Workers?
Bellin Health’s Project RED (Reduce Exploitation and Demand) offers confidential services at 744 S. Webster Ave:
- Free STI testing (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis)
- Substance abuse treatment referrals
- Needle exchange program
- Trauma counseling
The clinic operates on a “no questions asked” policy and reports zero data sharing with law enforcement unless mandatory reporting situations arise (child abuse, imminent violence).
How Can Residents Report Suspicious Activity?
Submit anonymous tips through:
- Ashwaubenon PD Vice Unit: 920-492-2992
- Wisconsin DOJ Trafficking Tip Line: 1-888-373-7888
- P3 App (Google Play/App Store)
Document details safely: vehicle descriptions (partial plates), timestamps, physical characteristics. Avoid confrontation – 47% of trafficking reports originate from hotel staff observations in Ashwaubenon.
