Seattle City Council Approves New Legislation to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation on Aurora Ave N

The Seattle City Council recently passed a bill aimed at combating commercial sexual exploitation in the city, as reported by the council’s official website. In a vote of 8-1, the legislation, spearheaded by District 5 Councilmember Cathy Moore, seeks to directly address the violence known to accompany such exploitative acts, particularly along the notorious stretch of Aurora Ave N.

Under this new law, selling, buying or promoting prostitution on the street could quickly lead to problems. Moore has been pressured to propose the legislation by her constituents, who are reportedly desperate to deal with the rise in gun violence related to commercial sexual exploitation. The bill would also allow judges to enforce Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) orders against those who buy and promote the illegal trade. “The passage of the SOAP legislation this afternoon is a direct response to what I have been hearing from my constituents for months,” Councilwoman Moore told the City Council.

Changes made during the Public Safety Committee’s discussions included removing sellers from potential SOAP orders, requiring training for police officers on working with survivors, and creating arrest policies that prioritize diversion and referral to services over prosecution. This focus on traffickers and buyers, rather than those sold into commercial sexual activity, reflects a broader shift in the city toward social service-based interventions.

Co-sponsor Council President Sara Nelson emphasized, “The increasingly violent nature of criminal sex trafficking along Aurora Ave. demands action now.” She emphasized in the Council statement that while the legislation is not a “magic bullet,” it does provide law enforcement with additional tools to quickly disrupt the criminal activity occurring in the area and provide support to those who are victims of human trafficking. Co-sponsor Councilmember Maritza Rivera emphasized the focus on helping victims and the safety of the local community affected by the activity on North Aurora.

Background information on the Council’s website describes how the CSE legislation was initially sparked by a significant increase in visible commercial sexual exploitation and gun violence on Aurora Avenue North. After a public committee hearing and several amendments, the bill passed unanimously at the September 10 committee meeting. If the Mayor signs the new law, it will go into effect 30 days later.

Survivors of commercial sexual exploitation have welcomed the new legislation that focuses on accountability rather than criminalization of the exploited. “As a survivor, I find it incredibly powerful that the new Loitering Act and the SOAP Act have shifted the focus from criminalization of the exploited to holding traffickers and buyers accountable. This change sends a clear message that the women and individuals we serve matter, and that the community stands with them in the fight for justice,” Sarah Ann Hamilton, survivor and Director of Survivor Services at The More We Love, told the council. Community members and local business owners have also expressed their support, applauding the measures that are aimed at creating a safer environment for everyone.