On Town Meeting Day, Burlington voters will be casting a ballot for a city charter change aimed at striking sex work from its pages. However, this change will not decriminalize sex work in Burlington. The city charter currently makes it illegal for, specifically, women to engage in prostitution. It also prohibits men from "engag[ing] and consort[ing] with such female for the purpose of prostitution.
Additionally, the charter prohibits any person to "keep a house of prostitution" or a "house of ill-fame. Advocates for the change say the current language is archaic and misogynistic, perpetuating stigma around sex work.
The change will simply remove unnecessary policies as criminal charges are brought down from the state government, not Burlington's local government. Safe Sex Work Vermont says changing the language of the city charter could make the industry safer.
They say eliminating this language will increase willingness to report violence and to get proper health care. Although, some advocates for sex trafficking victims are concerned about the possible implications of the move. Rachel Foster, co-founder of World Without Exploitation, said she cautions the change could bring more harm than good. She said she agrees the language is outdated but said she thinks that removing it will not improve the situation.
If the proposal is approved on March 1, it will go on to the Vermont State Legislature for approval and the governor of Vermont. Watch on Demand. Press enter to search Type to Search. Burlington to vote on changing sex work language in city charter Share. Copy Link. By Sid Bewlay. Burlington to vote on changing sex work language in city charter.
