Seattle crackdown on prostitution targets demand over supply

Jacob Nierenberg

Jacob Nierenberg Jun 21, 2025

Jan 12, 2018

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                <h1>Seattle crackdown on prostitution targets demand over supply</h1>
                <h2><p>MyNorthwest reports that Seattle continues to alter its enforcement approach toward prostitution. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes notes that, under previous laws, prostituted women were arrested at about twice the rate of those who solicit their services. While prostitution isn’t exactly being decriminalized, new laws aim to focus on</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/jacob-nierenberg-crosscut-com/">Jacob Nierenberg</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Jan 12, 2018</time></p>
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            <p><em>MyNorthwest</em> <a href="http://mynorthwest.com/11/2794503/Seattle-wont-decriminalize-prostitution-but-is-trying-to-eliminate-demand?ref=avalancheghost.one">reports</a> that Seattle continues to alter its enforcement approach toward prostitution. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes notes that, under previous laws, prostituted women were arrested at about twice the rate of those who solicit their services. While prostitution isn’t exactly being decriminalized, new laws aim to focus on punishing sex buyers rather than the prostitutes. Holmes also adds that, seeing as the women in question are typically classified by law enforcement as "victims", a priority is offering them protection from harassment, as well as assistance should they wish to leave the trade.</p>
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MyNorthwest reports that Seattle continues to alter its enforcement approach toward prostitution. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes notes that, under previous laws, prostituted women were arrested at about twice the rate of those who solicit their services. While prostitution isn’t exactly being decriminalized, new laws aim to focus on punishing sex buyers rather than the prostitutes. Holmes also adds that, seeing as the women in question are typically classified by law enforcement as "victims", a priority is offering them protection from harassment, as well as assistance should they wish to leave the trade.

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By Jacob Nierenberg

Jacob Nierenberg is an editorial intern at Crosscut. He has lived in Washington for nearly all of his life, and still proudly identifies with the Pacific Northwest despite his relocation to Stanford U