Burlington City Council advances charter change to decriminalize sex work

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The Burlington City Council Monday night advanced a charter change to decriminalize sex work in the Queen City. If endorsed by the mayor, it would go before voters on Town Meeting Day.

Councilors say there are several benefits to removing language about sex work from the charter. One is that it gives them the ability to report crimes against them without incriminating themselves.

”We are not decriminalizing sex work here and in some ways I’m sad that’s not true, but it is a step in the right direction and it is getting us talking about this important thing that’s prominent in the community,” said Jane Stromberg, P-Ward 8.

But not everybody is happy to see sex work potentially decriminalized in Burlington.

“Prostitution is about the power and control men have over women’s bodies that women are a commodity to be bought and sold,” said Michelle Moran, a Burlington resident.

Read more: https://www.wcax.com/2021/12/14/council-passes-charter-change-looking-decriminalize-sex-work/