Attendees:

Saerom Choi, API Legal Outreach; Alan Guttirez, LYRIC; Minouche Kandel, Department on the Status of Women; Carol Leigh, BAYSWAN; Alix Lutnick, RTI International; Jessica Marques, CASARC- Department of Public Health; Maggie McHale, Department on the Status of Women; Rachel West, US Prostitutes Collective

I. Introductions

 

II. Updates

A. Check in on the Prioritizing Safety for Sex Workers Policy

The Prioritizing Safety for Sex Workers policy is still in process with the San Francisco Police Department.  To expedite the passing of the policy the group has decided to establish a deadline of July 1st. Minouche will let Commander McEachern know that the group has defined a timeline for the passing of this policy as July 1st. If the policy is not passed by July 1st the group will organize further outside efforts to encourage the passing of the policy.

B. Meeting with Sgt. Flores on Human Trafficking Training at SFPD

Minouche, Alix, Saerom, and Carol met with Sgt. Flores, who presents the human trafficking training for the Police Department. At the meeting the attendees requested Sgt. Flores’ training materials, but have not yet received them. Minouche will contact the Police Academy to get permission to attend a training held by Sgt. Flores and will also send another email to Sgt. Flores requesting the materials he uses for the human trafficking training.

C. SFPD data

Alix Lutnick has received the data she had requested from the Police Department. The data reflects incident reports related to prostitution and/or human trafficking. The data provides location, demographic data, and unique codes for each person involved in the incidents. The data is a random sample pulled from four years of SFPD incident reports, two years before and two years after the Police Department moved investigation of prostitution cases from Vice to the Special Victims Unit.  The data shows that the San Francisco Police Department continues to run sting operations on prostitution where prostitutes are arrested. Alix asked the group for suggestions on data fields that would be helpful to look into. The group suggested: condom use, incorrect classification, charge classification, buyer income strata, data on trans-women of color and transitional aged youth, cell phone seizure, language access line usage, and HIV charges.  The group was asked to email Alix if any further data points are thought of.

 

 

 

III. Request to join Legal Momentum lawsuit against Backpage

 

Legal Momentum has sued Backpage, and partnered with the well renowned lawyer David Buise, who is providing pro bono legal assistance.  The suits are based on Backpage’s complicity in posting ads in which minors are trafficked for sex. The goal of the suit is to close down Backpage.  Legal Momentum would like other cities and states to file parallel suits against Backpage. They have asked whether San Francisco would be a part of this effort.  Minouche has arranged for the Legal Momentum representative to present at the April 26, 2017 Mayor’s Task Force on Anti- Human Trafficking meeting. The group agreed presenting opposing information would be helpful to the Task Force in the decision on whether or not to support the lawsuit.  Alix  will send Minouche articles to distribute to the general Task Force.   The group shared concerns on the lawsuit creating further harm to youth, trafficked youth, and people selling sex.

 

IV. Next Meeting: May 22, 2017

1) Alix will send Minouche the two articles in opposition of closing down the Backpage site. Alix will also provide the group with information on the Santa Clare County Prostitution Prevention and Harm Reduction Subcommittee.

2) Carol and Minouche will discuss the planning for the summer brown bag.

3) Minouche will email Sgt. Flores and Commander McEachern about the Safety for Sex Workers policy timeline.

4) Group members will email Alix with any further data collection requests.

5) Agenda items for next meeting:

Remaining a part of the Task Force
Explore Laws that decriminalize transmission of HIV
Priorities for 2017
Debrief on presentation at general Task Force meeting