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Title:
Empowering Autonomy: A Community-Based Analysis of Sex Work Policy Frameworks in Los Angeles

Authors:
Tran, Vananh; Estacio, Rizza; Fu, Leer; Jones, Jada; Nunnink, Sarah

Keywords:
Sex work policy, decriminalization, community-based research

Background

Sex workers in California navigate a landscape shaped by criminalization, stigma, and limited access to basic protections. Research on sex work often overlooks the combined effects of policing, economic marginalization, and health disparities, especially for workers who are Black, transgender, or otherwise marginalized. The report highlights how criminalization restricts access to healthcare and heightens exposure to violence, noting that “the criminalization of sex work has led to significant barriers in accessing healthcare and increased health risks.” These gaps in safety and stability underscore the need for a policy analysis grounded in the lived experiences of sex workers themselves.

Objective

The study examines how criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization influence sex workers’ health, economic security, labor conditions, and interactions with law enforcement. It aims to determine which framework best supports workers’ autonomy and well‑being, guided by the central question of how these legal models shape material and financial outcomes for people in the sex industry.

Methods

The research draws on a combination of qualitative and comparative approaches. Focus groups were conducted with sex workers in Los Angeles County, offering firsthand accounts of workplace conditions and challenges. These discussions were analyzed through open and selective coding to identify recurring themes. The qualitative findings were paired with an extensive review of international and domestic policy models. The team then evaluated each legal framework using criteria related to labor protections, health, economic impact, community safety, and political feasibility.

Results

Participants described criminalization as a source of constant instability, citing police harassment, violence, and fear of seeking medical care. One participant explained, “If something were to happen, I would not reach out to the police… I’m more concerned about booking a client who ends up being a police officer.” Criminalization also contributed to financial insecurity, including difficulties securing payment and accessing banking or housing. Legalization was viewed as offering only partial relief, often tied to restrictive rules and heightened surveillance. Mandatory health checks and licensing requirements were seen as intrusive and likely to exclude the most marginalized workers. Decriminalization emerged as the framework most likely to improve safety, reduce stigma, and expand access to healthcare and financial services. Participants emphasized that removing criminal penalties would allow them to report violence, negotiate safer working conditions, and pursue economic stability.

Conclusions

The findings strongly support decriminalization as the policy approach that best advances sex workers’ rights, safety, and long‑term well‑being. Decriminalization reduces exposure to violence, strengthens access to healthcare, and improves economic opportunities. The study recommends adopting decriminalization alongside expanded support services and continued advocacy to counter stigma and ensure equitable implementation. These results highlight the importance of centering sex workers’ experiences in shaping policy that promotes dignity, autonomy, and public health.