What are the prostitution laws in Los Angeles?
Prostitution is illegal throughout Los Angeles County under California Penal Code Sections 647(b) and 315. Both soliciting sex and agreeing to engage in sexual acts for money are misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fines. Police frequently conduct undercover sting operations in areas like Figueroa Street and Van Nuys Boulevard. Since 2016, LA County has shifted toward diversion programs like the First Offender Prostitution Program (FOPP) that mandate education instead of jail time for first-time offenders.
How do prostitution stings operate in LA?
LAPD and LASD use decoy operations where undercover officers pose as sex workers or clients to make arrests. Common tactics include placing ads on websites, street-level solicitation setups near known hotspots, and monitoring online platforms. Arrests typically occur immediately after money is discussed. Avoid carrying condoms as evidence and never discuss specific sex acts or prices.
What’s the difference between prostitution and human trafficking charges?
Prostitution involves consensual transaction between adults, while trafficking (under CA Penal Code 236.1) requires force, fraud or coercion. Trafficking carries felony charges with 5-12 year sentences. LA County prioritizes trafficking investigations through the Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, especially in massage parlors and illicit hotels near LAX.
What health risks do sex workers face in Los Angeles?
Street-based sex workers in LA experience STD rates 5x higher than the general population, with syphilis and gonorrhea being most prevalent. Violence affects 68% according to UCLA studies, with limited reporting due to fear of police. Resource deserts exist in South LA and the Valley where clinics are scarce. Free services include the LA County STI Clinic (213-744-9070) and APLA Health’s mobile testing vans.
Where can sex workers access free condoms and testing?
Over 120 locations offer free prevention kits including:
- St John’s Well Child Center (multiple locations)
- LA LGBT Center (McDonald/Wright Building)
- Homeless Health Care Los Angeles (Downtown)
- Venice Family Clinic needle exchange
HIV testing is anonymous at all county facilities. LA County Department of Public Health provides PrEP medications regardless of immigration status.
How prevalent is violence against sex workers in LA?
A 2022 Cal State LA study documented 147 violent attacks against sex workers countywide – 83% went unreported. High-risk zones include industrial areas of Commerce and Pacoima where lighting is poor. Safety strategies include using buddy systems, encrypted apps like Signal, and avoiding isolated motels. The SWOP LA panic button app connects directly to designated contacts during emergencies.
What resources help sex workers leave prostitution in LA?
Dignity’s Power Project offers transitional housing, GED programs, and job training at their MacArthur Park facility. The Center for Pacific Asian Families provides culturally-specific counseling for Asian migrant workers. Legal Aid Foundation of LA assists with criminal record expungement – crucial since 92% of employers reject applicants with prostitution convictions. Exodus Recovery runs the only county-funded detox program accepting sex workers without ID.
Are there specialized rehab programs for sex workers?
Three LA programs address trauma and addiction concurrently:
- Downtown Women’s Center: 6-month trauma-informed residential program
- Haven Hills: Dual diagnosis treatment for domestic violence survivors
- Shields for Families: Includes childcare during treatment
All Medi-Cal accepted. Waitlists average 45 days; interim support available through PEERS LA outreach.
What legal protections exist for trafficked individuals?
CA Assembly Bill 1241 allows trafficking survivors to vacate prostitution convictions and access victim compensation funds. Special visas (T/U) provide immigration relief – Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) files 200+ annually in LA. The Whole Child’s STAR Court diverts youth to wraparound services instead of juvenile hall.
How to identify and report sex trafficking in Los Angeles?
Key indicators include minors in hotel corridors late at night, restricted communication, branding tattoos like “Daddy’s Property”, and controlled movement in areas like Santee Alley. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888) received 1,927 LA tips last year. For immediate intervention, text “LA” to 233733 or contact LAPD’s Vice Division at (213) 486-6840. Anonymous reports can be made via the Red Flag Resource app.
What happens after reporting trafficking?
LAPD’s OPERATION SAFE HAVEN protocol activates multi-agency response including medical services, victim advocates, and emergency housing. Survivors receive 90-day stabilization period before deciding on cooperation. The LA County DA files charges under CA Penal Code 236.1 which carries 15-years-to-life for child trafficking. Witness protection is available through the CA Witness Relocation Program.
What rights do sex workers have when arrested in LA?
You maintain constitutional rights including:
- Right to remain silent (clearly state “I invoke my 5th Amendment right”)
- Right to refuse searches of your phone without warrant
- Right to request public defender at arraignment
- Right to access prescribed medications in custody
Never consent to phone searches – police need separate warrants for digital evidence. The Sex Workers Legal Defense Fund provides attorneys for eligible arrestees within 24 hours.
How does Proposition 35 impact sentencing?
Passed in 2012, Prop 35 increased trafficking penalties and requires all prostitution convicts to register as sex offenders if minors were involved. Registration mandates last 20-years minimum, restricting housing within 2,000 feet of schools. Recent challenges argue this constitutes cruel punishment – consult the Criminal Justice Clinic at Loyola Law School for appeals.
Are there advocacy groups for sex workers’ rights in LA?
Decriminalize Sex Work LA leads legislative efforts to repeal Penal Code 647(b). SWOP LA (Sex Worker Outreach Project) operates a 24/7 crisis line (323-486-3400) and street outreach teams. The Erotic Service Providers Union holds monthly meetings on legal empowerment. These groups successfully advocated for LA’s Condoms as Evidence ban preventing confiscated condoms from being used in court.
What’s the difference between decriminalization and legalization?
Decriminalization removes criminal penalties for consensual adult sex work (New Zealand model), while legalization creates regulated systems (Nevada brothels). Current LA initiatives like the Stop Arresting Women policy focus on non-enforcement of prostitution statutes – arrests decreased 72% since 2019 but racial disparities persist with Black women 4x more likely to be arrested.
How can allies support sex workers in LA?
Effective allyship includes:
- Donating to SWOP LA’s emergency fund for bail and housing
- Supporting businesses like the Cypress Coffee Project that hire exiting workers
- Advocating for “Equal Protection Under the Law” ballot initiatives
- Volunteering with St James Infirmary’s street medic program
Avoid “rescue” approaches – center workers’ autonomy in program design.
