“We have made strides in empowering affluent, educated women and girls,” writes Nicholas Kristof of the The New York Times. “But some of the most vulnerable girls in America, those in foster care, have benefited much less.” Read about survivor leader and CATW's Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator Melanie Thompson's journey and advocacy for survivors of trafficking and prostitution.
Sex trade survivors, women’s and human rights advocates, and anti-trafficking organizations from around the world call on South Africa to reject new bill decriminalizing the sex trade.
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) highlights sex buyers’ own published accounts to demonstrate the sexism, racism, sexual violence, among other offenses, that patronizing prostitution entails.
Belgium amends its Penal Code to further decriminalize pimping and brothel owning, following the model of Germany's disastrous 2002-2017 prostitution law.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul enacts on November 16, the START Act that will allow survivors of human trafficking to seek relief for convictions of offenses they committed while being trafficked. This critical legislation will offer survivors a fresh start to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
One, the Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act, would fully decriminalize prostitution, including pimps, traffickers and sex buyers. The other, the Sex Trade Survivors Justice & Equality Act, would focus on punishing sex buyers and pimps, while decriminalizing people in prostitution. Taina Bien-Aimé, CATW executive director, comments.
Our executive director was named one of Forbes' 50 Over 50 "dreamers and doers lifting the world one community at a time" alongside other incredible women (including some familiar faces).
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr.’s groundbreaking decision, announced on April 21, implements a policy to “decline-to-prosecute” people in prostitution, including those in illicit “massage parlors,” but maintains accountability for sex buyers. It de facto implements the Equality Model in the borough.
CATW ED Taina Bien-Aimé issues a statement responding to policy proposals in the “Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Draft Plan,” approved by the New York City Council, that would greenlight sex buying, sex tourism, commercial sex establishments and third-party profiteers.
CATW oral intervention during CSW64 mentioned in UN Press meeting coverage of final meeting of the commission.
CATW Executive Director Taina Bien-Aimé speaks with Lynn Shaw on Lynn's Warriors on WVOX.
Barbara Crossette’s March 15 article in PassBlue on New York State legalizing commercial surrogacy got the attention of the UN’s special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, Shushan Khachyan.