On May 8, the New Orleans City Council made a big decision. They voted to protect sex workers from being arrested or charged for prostitution if they report a crime committed against them while they are working.
All six council members who were present at the meeting voted “yes” to this new law, called an ordinance (which is a law made by a city or local government). One member, Freddie King, wasn’t there for the vote, but he had already shown support for the law in an earlier meeting.
Now, the ordinance just needs to be signed by the mayor, LaToya Cantrell, to officially become law in New Orleans.
What Does This Law Do?
This new law says that if a sex worker becomes a victim of a crime (like being robbed or attacked), or if they witness a crime happening to someone else, they can report it to the police without being afraid of getting arrested for prostitution.
This law puts into writing (or codifies) a policy that the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) already tries to follow. The idea is to make sure sex workers feel safe talking to the police if something bad happens, so crimes can be solved and fewer people get hurt.
Why Was This Law Created?
The law was written with help from the police department and the public defender's office (the Defense Attorney’s office, which provides lawyers to people who can't afford them). It was also strongly supported by a group called the Trans Income Project, which helps transgender people in Louisiana, especially those who work in the sex industry.
Natalie Rupp, who leads the Trans Income Project, said the law is important because many transgender people have done sex work to survive, and they are often at risk of violence. This law gives them a way to report crimes without the fear of getting in trouble just for being a sex worker.
Extra Protections in the Law
There is a part of the new law called the “Right to Safe Sex.” This rule says that police are not allowed to use condoms as proof that someone is doing sex work. (Some police officers have used this in the past as evidence to arrest people.)
This is important because many sex workers were carrying fewer condoms out of fear of being arrested — which is a public health concern. Condoms help prevent sexually transmitted infections, so this change helps everyone stay safer.
What the Law Doesn’t Do
This new rule does not make sex work legal in New Orleans. That means sex workers can still be arrested if they are not reporting a crime or if they are caught by State Police (officers who work for the whole state of Louisiana, not just New Orleans).
The rule only applies to the New Orleans Police Department, not to state agencies like Troop NOLA — a group of state police sent to New Orleans to help with crime. That means the state police can still arrest sex workers under state law, even if the city law says otherwise.
(Note: State law is made by the government of the whole state. City or municipal law is made by a local government and only applies within that city.)
What Happens Next?
People who support the law hope other cities in Louisiana will pass similar rules. Natalie Rupp says this new law is a good start, but real change will only happen if more cities — and the state — follow New Orleans’ lead.
Some local business owners, like those in the Chef Downman Business Association, say they support protecting victims but are worried this change might make prostitution more common near their businesses.
But supporters of the law say it’s not about encouraging sex work — it’s about keeping people safe. Many sex workers don’t feel like they can go to the police when something bad happens. This law tries to fix that.
Why This Matters
Sex workers are often in dangerous situations, and many are victims of assault, robbery, and even trafficking. By letting them report these crimes without fear of arrest, the city is making it easier to protect everyone — not just sex workers, but the entire community.
New Orleans now joins other parts of the country, like California and Maine, that have taken steps to protect sex workers. While sex work is still not fully legal, this law is a step toward treating people with more fairness and compassion.
In Simple Terms:
This new rule helps sex workers in New Orleans feel safer about reporting crimes. It doesn’t make prostitution legal, but it does protect people from being punished just for asking for help when something bad happens. It’s one way the city is trying to make sure everyone gets treated with respect and safety.
This new rule helps sex workers in New Orleans feel safer about reporting crimes. It doesn’t make prostitution legal, but it does protect people from being punished just for asking for help when something bad happens. It’s one way the city is trying to make sure everyone gets treated with respect and safety.
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