Dear Assembly Member Jones,

 

My name is First Name Last Name, and I am a resident of District XY. I am emailing you to voice my support for three legal tactics to assist those suffering from the commercial sex industry. First, I support the repeal of the NY loitering law (A.0654 / S.2253). As trafficking and exploitation has moved from the street to the internet, those who are arrested for “loitering” are now only members of our most marginalized populations and a repeal of this law would protect victims from the trauma of repeated arrests. Secondly, I support the expansion of NY vacatur law (A.982 / S.3181). Under this law, victims of human trafficking are criminally prosecuted for acts they were compelled to commit while they were exploited. This law would allow vacatur of all convictions when such acts occurred as a direct result of being trafficked, therefore protecting the victims. Lastly, I support the expansion of NY rape shield law, (A.2240 / S.5070). Victims of prostitution are exempt from New York’s rape shield law. This law limits the introduction of evidence in regards to the victim’s sexual history in order to safeguard the victim’s privacy. I, along with many others, believe this legislation needs to be enacted to protect the victims of the prostitution. 

 

I hope to count on your support in passing this legislation! 

 

Thank for your time!

 

Best,

First Name Last Name