Proposition K, San Francisco, November 2008: ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS RELATED TO PROSTITUTION AND SEX WORKERS Back to Prop K Information Page Human Rights Based Anti-Trafficking Strategies Global Alliance Against Traffick in Women This short quote below explains the impact of decriminalization in reducing trafficking. The pdf linked below, Collateral Damage explains the problems of fighting trafficking with repression rather than empowerment strategies.The excerpt explains how decriminalzation has been effective in one province which has decriminalized. This new resource from GAATW demonstrates how repressive policies regarding sex workers and migrants inhibit the fight against trafficking. Most of the current human rights work on this issue is examining the human rights impact of anti-trafficking work and seeking humane options. GAATW is the original human rights based organization addressing trafficking. GAATW has been instrumental in construction of International anti-trafficking protocols ,including the United Nations Anti-Trafficking Protocol. GAATW leaders originally established the Minimum Standards for Treatment of Trafficked Persons. from 'Collateral Damage' http://www.gaatw.net/Collateral%20Damage_Final/singlefile_CollateralDamagefinal.pdf "Decriminalization and legalization of the sex industry reduces exploitation" The state government of New South Wales (which encompasses Sydney) has reported that the decriminalization of sex work has reduced levels of exploitation of women who had previously worked for illegal and organised crime syndicates. As a result, the government reports that migrant women working in the sex industry enjoy safer working conditions and increased access to health services (Flanagan, 2006). Findings of a research study which compares the circumstances of Chinese and Thai sex workers in Australia in 1993 and 2003, before and after the sex industry was decriminalised in New South Wales support this.53 The study showed a marked increase in safe sex practices, better education levels amongst Chinese and Thai sex workers and a decrease in sexually transmitted diseases (Pell et al, 2006, 157). Fewer women were working ‘on contracts’ i.e. in debt bondage (a reduction from 27.5 per cent in 1993 down to 9 per cent of the sample in 2003)54 and the majority of sex workers were working in legally registered brothels or workplaces in 2003." Decriminalization reduces trafficking according to a report by the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women: Visit http://www.gaatw.net/