Understanding Prostitution in Suitland, Maryland

Suitland, Maryland, an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Prince George’s County, faces challenges common to urban areas, including issues related to prostitution and commercial sex work. This activity is illegal throughout Maryland and carries significant legal, health, and social consequences. This guide provides a fact-based overview of the legal landscape, inherent risks, law enforcement approaches, community impacts, and available support services related to prostitution in Suitland.

Is Prostitution Legal in Suitland, Maryland?

No, prostitution is illegal throughout Maryland, including Suitland. Maryland state law explicitly prohibits engaging in, soliciting, or patronizing prostitution. Suitland, being part of Prince George’s County, falls under the jurisdiction of Maryland state law and Prince George’s County law enforcement.

Maryland’s laws classify prostitution-related offenses as misdemeanors, but penalties can be severe, especially for repeat offenses or those involving minors. Key statutes include:

§ 11-303. Soliciting prostitution: Offering or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for a fee.
§ 11-304. Engaging in prostitution: Agreeing or engaging in sexual conduct for a fee.
§ 11-306. Patronizing a prostitute: Paying or agreeing to pay a fee for sexual conduct.
§ 11-307. Operating a brothel: Managing or owning a place used for prostitution.

Penalties can include fines (ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars), jail time (up to one year for a first offense, potentially longer for subsequent offenses), mandatory counseling, and a permanent criminal record. Charges escalate significantly if minors are involved.

What Are the Legal Penalties for Soliciting or Selling Sex in Suitland?

Penalties for prostitution-related offenses in Suitland are determined by Maryland state law and enforced by Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

For Individuals Selling Sex (Engaging in Prostitution):

First Offense: Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and/or fine up to $500.
Second Offense: Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and/or fine up to $1,000.
Third or Subsequent Offense: Felony, up to 3 years in prison and/or fine up to $2,500.

For Individuals Buying Sex (Patronizing a Prostitute):

First Offense: Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and/or fine up to $500.
Second Offense: Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and/or fine up to $1,000.
Third or Subsequent Offense: Felony, up to 3 years in prison and/or fine up to $2,500.
Driver’s License Suspension: Mandatory 6-month suspension upon conviction.

For Promoting Prostitution (Pimping/Pandering/Operating a Brothel): Penalties are significantly harsher, often felonies carrying multi-year prison sentences and substantial fines.

A conviction results in a permanent criminal record, impacting future employment, housing, and educational opportunities.

What Are the Major Health Risks Associated with Street Prostitution?

Engaging in street prostitution exposes individuals to severe and potentially life-threatening health risks.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Unprotected sex and multiple partners significantly increase the risk of contracting STIs, including:

HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis B & C
Syphilis
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Physical Violence and Assault: Sex workers face an extremely high risk of physical violence, sexual assault, robbery, and homicide from clients, pimps, and others. Lack of safe working conditions and fear of police reporting often prevent seeking help.

Substance Abuse and Addiction: There is a strong correlation between street prostitution and substance abuse. Individuals may enter the trade to support addiction or develop dependencies as a coping mechanism, leading to further health deterioration and vulnerability.

Mental Health Issues: Chronic exposure to trauma, violence, stigma, and dangerous conditions leads to high rates of PTSD, depression, severe anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other mental health disorders.

Lack of Healthcare Access: Fear of arrest, stigma, and financial barriers often prevent individuals involved in prostitution from accessing regular healthcare, allowing health problems to worsen undetected.

How Does Law Enforcement Address Prostitution in Suitland?

The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) employs various strategies to combat prostitution in Suitland and surrounding areas, focusing on both deterrence and harm reduction.

Targeted Patrols and Sting Operations: PGPD frequently conducts undercover operations targeting both individuals soliciting sex and those offering it, particularly in areas known for high activity. These aim to disrupt the market and make arrests.

Collaboration with Community Policing: Officers work with residents and business owners in affected neighborhoods to gather intelligence, address quality-of-life concerns, and build trust to encourage reporting.

Focus on Trafficking and Exploitation: Recognizing that many involved are victims, PGPD collaborates with specialized units and federal agencies (like the FBI and HSI) to identify and investigate cases of human trafficking, focusing on prosecuting traffickers and pimps rather than victims.

Diversion Programs: Increasingly, law enforcement and prosecutors are referring individuals arrested for prostitution, particularly those identified as potential trafficking victims or struggling with addiction, to diversion programs instead of jail. These programs connect them with social services, counseling, substance abuse treatment, job training, and housing assistance (e.g., through partnerships with organizations like the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force).

“John School” / Solicitor Programs: Programs targeting individuals arrested for soliciting prostitution aim to educate them on the harms of the trade, legal consequences, and the potential for involvement in trafficking, often as an alternative to prosecution.

What Resources Are Available for People Wanting to Leave Prostitution?

Leaving prostitution is incredibly difficult, but crucial support services exist in Prince George’s County and the wider DC Metro area.

CourtHouse SQUARE Advocates Program (Prince George’s County): This program specifically assists victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, providing crisis intervention, case management, court advocacy, counseling, and connections to resources like shelter, healthcare, and legal aid. (Phone: 301-909-3845)

Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force: A collaborative effort bringing together law enforcement, service providers, and community organizations to combat trafficking and support survivors. They provide referrals and coordination of services.

House of Ruth Maryland: While primarily focused on domestic violence, they offer services relevant to survivors of trafficking and exploitation, including emergency shelter, counseling, legal services, and support groups. They serve the entire state. (Hotline: 410-889-7884)

National Human Trafficking Hotline: Confidential, toll-free, 24/7 hotline connecting victims and survivors to support and services. Can provide local referrals for shelter, counseling, legal aid, and more. (Call: 1-888-373-7888 | Text: 233733 | Chat: humantraffickinghotline.org)

Healthcare Access: Community clinics like Greater Baden Medical Services and Mary’s Center provide non-judgmental healthcare, including STI testing/treatment, mental health services, and substance abuse referrals, often on a sliding scale.

Substance Abuse Treatment: Resources like the Prince George’s County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Services and local providers offer treatment programs for addiction, a critical component for many seeking to exit prostitution.

These resources focus on safety, trauma-informed care, meeting basic needs (shelter, food), healthcare, legal assistance, counseling, and long-term support like job training and education.

How Does Street Prostitution Impact the Suitland Community?

Street-level prostitution has tangible negative impacts on the Suitland community beyond the individuals directly involved.

Quality of Life Issues: Residents and businesses in areas with high prostitution activity frequently report:

Increased loitering and solicitation.
Public indecency and lewd behavior.
Discarded condoms and drug paraphernalia.
Noise disturbances, especially late at night.
Increased vehicular traffic (cruising by clients).

Perception of Crime and Safety: Visible prostitution contributes to a perception that an area is unsafe or declining, even if other crime rates are stable. This perception can deter investment, reduce property values, and make residents feel uneasy.

Link to Other Crimes: Areas known for prostitution often see associated criminal activity, including:

Drug sales and use.
Robbery and theft (targeting clients or sex workers).
Assaults and violence.
Presence of gangs or organized crime elements involved in pimping/trafficking.

Economic Impact: Businesses may suffer due to customers avoiding the area. Potential investors or new businesses may be hesitant to locate in neighborhoods perceived as high-crime or blighted by prostitution.

Strain on Resources: Law enforcement responses, emergency medical services for assaults or overdoses, and social services for those involved place demands on community resources.

Community groups and civic associations in Suitland often work with police and county officials to address these impacts through neighborhood watch programs, clean-up initiatives, and advocacy for targeted enforcement and social services.

What’s the Difference Between Prostitution and Human Trafficking?

While prostitution and human trafficking often intersect, they are distinct concepts legally and operationally.

Prostitution: Refers to the act or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. Under Maryland law, it is illegal for both the person selling sex and the person buying it, regardless of whether the individual selling sex appears to be acting “voluntarily” at that moment.

Human Trafficking (specifically sex trafficking): Is a crime defined by federal law (Trafficking Victims Protection Act – TVPA) and Maryland state law. It involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion, OR in which the person induced to perform such an act is under 18 years of age.

Key Differences:

Consent vs. Coercion: Prostitution laws focus on the act itself. Trafficking laws focus on the means (force, fraud, coercion) used to cause someone to engage in commercial sex, or the age of the victim (minors cannot consent).
Movement: Trafficking does NOT require transportation across borders or even long distances. It can occur entirely within one community like Suitland.
Exploitation: Trafficking is fundamentally about exploitation and control over another person for profit through commercial sex.

The Critical Overlap: Many individuals involved in street prostitution in Suitland and elsewhere are victims of sex trafficking. They may be controlled by pimps/traffickers through violence, threats, psychological manipulation, drug addiction, debt bondage, or because they are minors. Law enforcement in Prince George’s County increasingly focuses on identifying trafficking victims within prostitution enforcement operations.

Where Can Suitland Residents Report Suspicious Activity?

Residents play a vital role in helping law enforcement address prostitution and related crime. Reporting suspicious activity safely is crucial.

Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD):

Emergency: Always dial 911 for crimes in progress, immediate threats, or situations requiring urgent police response.
Non-Emergency: For reporting ongoing concerns, suspicious activity not requiring immediate response, or providing tips: Call 301-352-1200 (District 3, which includes Suitland).
Crime Solvers Tip Line: To provide anonymous tips about crimes, including prostitution or trafficking: Call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com. Rewards may be available.

National Human Trafficking Hotline: To report suspected human trafficking (which may involve prostitution): Call 1-888-373-7888, Text 233733, or Chat online at humantraffickinghotline.org. This is confidential and not a law enforcement agency, but they can connect tips to appropriate authorities.

What to Report (Be Specific & Observant):

Location (exact address or intersection).
Time and date.
Descriptions of people involved (gender, approximate age, height, build, hair, clothing, distinguishing features).
Descriptions of vehicles (make, model, color, license plate – even partial).
Specific behaviors observed (e.g., “person approaching cars,” “money exchanged,” “argument getting physical”).
If minors appear to be involved, note this specifically.

Safety First: Do not confront individuals. Report observations from a safe distance. Your safety is paramount.

What Prevention Efforts Exist in Suitland and Prince George’s County?

Addressing the root causes of prostitution requires multi-faceted prevention strategies. Prince George’s County employs several approaches:

Youth Education and Outreach: Programs in schools and community centers aim to educate young people about the dangers of trafficking, online exploitation, healthy relationships, and life skills. Organizations like the CourtHouse SQUARE Advocates Program conduct outreach.

Public Awareness Campaigns: County agencies and non-profits run campaigns to educate the public about the signs of trafficking and prostitution, the legal consequences of buying sex, and how to report suspicious activity.

Economic Opportunity Programs: Addressing poverty and lack of opportunity is crucial. Job training programs, workforce development initiatives, and support for small businesses aim to provide viable economic alternatives.

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Expanding access to affordable, effective substance abuse treatment and prevention programs helps address a key vulnerability factor.

Support for Vulnerable Populations: Strengthening services for runaway and homeless youth, foster youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and victims of domestic violence helps prevent them from being targeted by traffickers or entering survival sex.

“Demand” Reduction: Efforts targeting those who buy sex are critical. This includes law enforcement stings targeting “johns,” public shaming campaigns (where legal), and educational programs like “John Schools” that highlight the harms and potential criminal liability.

Strengthening Community Institutions: Supporting strong families, schools, places of worship, and neighborhood associations builds community resilience and protective factors against exploitation.

These efforts involve collaboration between county government agencies (Social Services, Health Department, Police), non-profit organizations, schools, faith communities, and residents.

Prostitution in Suitland, MD: Laws, Risks, and Resources