Oakland Councilmember Charlene Wang is rolling out a proposal that would make people who buy sex – along with traffickers and certain businesses – help pay for the very services survivors need to get out.
Her plan would set up a city-run human-trafficking survivor support fund, backed by fines and private donations, to cover exit services, medical care and legal help. Wang said she plans to introduce the ordinance by the end of January, and advocates at the announcement argued that a dedicated local pot of money could patch serious gaps in existing services.
Under the draft ordinance, penalties collected from convicted buyers and exploiters would flow into a city-administered fund. The proposal calls for a $4,000 fine for buyers on a first violation and a $2,500 fine for “nuisance” businesses, such as hotels where sexual exploitation is documented, with revenues directed to Oakland-based organizations and exit programs. Those details were outlined at Wang’s press event and reported by The Oaklandside.
How the Fund Would Work
Wang’s proposal pairs penalties with philanthropy. The city would work with the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation to raise and distribute non-city dollars, helping pay for housing, job training and legal support for survivors. Backers describe the fund model as a way to jump-start exit services now, while community partners build out longer-term programs…