Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

Spring 5-5-2022

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Department

Social Work, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Crowell Thompson

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Currently, people engaging in prostitution who report crimes in Tennessee can face charges should their involvement with prostitution come to light during the report. This barrier to services can prevent individuals from seeking help and infringes upon their rights as crime victims. The Tennessee Prostitution Amnesty Law aims to remove this barrier and seeks to combat the violence experienced by individuals engaging in prostitution by safely providing them with a voice to report crimes against themselves and others without facing charges for prostitution. Additionally, the law states that providing a voice for these individuals will in turn create more opportunities to find persons affected by sex trafficking since the line between sex trafficking and prostitution is often blurred. Given the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) values of dignity and value of a person and social justice, social workers should encourage the passing of this legislation.

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