Senate Enhances Law Aimed at Punishing Prostitution Offenses Near School Grounds
(Albany, NY) Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Whitestone) announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation, S1313A, which establishes new crimes and increased penalties for promoting and conducting prostitution within one thousand feet of school grounds.
“We, as a community must ensure that these types of crimes do not occur near school grounds,” said Senator Stavisky. “Prostitution is not only dangerous to the participants, but brings unsafe individuals into our communities which impressionable and vulnerable school aged children should not witness.”
This legislation:
- States that anyone who knowingly advances or profits from the crime by managing, supervising, controlling or owning a prostitution business located within one thousand feet of school grounds is guilty of a class C felony.
- Criminalizes the promotion of prostitution within one thousand feet of school grounds as a class E felony.
- Makes patronizing a prostitute within one thousand feet of school grounds a class E felony.
This law stems from a January 2011 New York Times article titled "A Bronx Elementary School, Surrounded by Prostitutes.” The article revealed that students attending the West Farms Elementary School are unwillingly subjected to witnessing daily acts of prostitution. The brazen activity ranged from prostitutes roaming the streets around the school to performing illicit acts in a tent at the base of the school’s playground.
In her own district, Sen. Stavisky observed three prostitutes being dropped off near a school in Flushing one morning. According to the 109th Precinct, one of the three was arrested nearby that same morning.
The senator concluded, “this bill goes considerably further than current law so that law enforcement may effectively prevent and punish prostitution crimes. The penalties for those who exploit women and force victims into prostitution are much harsher. This is an unfortunate but necessary precaution to protect our children and ensure their educational environment is safe and secure.”
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