Shame is a powerful tool—one that Oregon lawmakers are trying to leverage in their ongoing fight against sex traffickers and those who pay for sex.
The theory, according to two Oregon legislators, is simple: The more negative consequences for a crime, the less that crime will happen. So State Sen. Kathleeen Taylor and State Rep. John Huffman are pushing new laws that would suspend professional, recreational, and driver’s licenses of people busted for visiting a sex worker, purchasing sex with a minor, or “compelling” or “promoting” prostitution.
“The idea is to hold the johns—the purchaser—a little bit more accountable,” said Taylor last month at a House Judiciary Committee hearing. “And yes, there is a shame component to it.”
Notably, the legislation the Milwaukie Democrat is helping push doesn’t require additional penalties against sex workers themselves. Taylor and Huffman (R-The Dalles) introduced two bills in January—one that would suspend driver’s licenses, the other that could suspend state professional and recreational licenses.
Though the bills were tabled last week “due to various legal and stakeholder input,” Taylor tells the Mercury “a new bill will be put forward which will combine elements of these two bills.” The new legislation could also mandate something known as “john school,” which aims to teach men about negative effects of paying for sex, both for themselves and the sellers.