decriminalize sex work
Decriminalize Sex Work is a U.S. national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2018, that pursues state-by-state legislative advocacy to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution. It produces policy research, briefing papers, and advocacy tools, and operates a 501(c)(4) lobbying affiliate.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What decriminalize sex work does
Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) is a U.S.-based national 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization founded on June 22, 2018, with an affiliated 501(c)(4) lobbying arm, the Campaign to Decriminalize Sex Work (CDSW), established December 21, 2018. The organization's mission is to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution in the United States through a state-by-state legislative strategy, supported by public education, policy research, and direct lobbying. DSW operates a small distributed staff of 11 named members across multiple states, with a mailing address in Austin, Texas.
DSW's core products are educational and advocacy resources: meticulously researched briefing papers with accompanying short videos (15+ topics including criminal justice, human trafficking, public health, and the Nordic/Equality Model); a comprehensive state-by-state prostitution laws database covering all 50 states and D.C.; legislative fact sheets; an online letter-writing tool offering 11 pre-written templates for contacting state legislators; a monthly national e-newsletter distributed via SalsaLabs; a curated podcasts page including The Oldest Profession Podcast; and a grants program awarding up to $15,000 to support decriminalization efforts at local, state, and federal levels. Its technology infrastructure is digital-first and modest in scope, centered on a WordPress website, email newsletter platform, and social media channels (Instagram @decrimsexwork, Facebook, Twitter/X).
DSW generates revenue exclusively through donations to its two affiliated entities — tax-deductible contributions to the 501(c)(3) for education and research, and non-deductible contributions to the 501(c)(4) for direct lobbying — plus grant funding inflows. It does not charge for any of its services or resources. The organization engages allied organizations including ACLU, Amnesty International, WHO, UNAIDS, Freedom Network USA, and Human Rights Campaign as endorsing partners, and has participated as amicus curiae in federal litigation challenging SESTA/FOSTA. Recent policy wins include a New York law enacted December 2025 protecting trafficking survivors and sex workers from prosecution, and active 2026 legislative campaigns in Rhode Island and Colorado.
decriminalize sex work firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- decriminalize sex work
- Legal name
- Decriminalize Sex Work
- Website
- https://decriminalizesex.work
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Decriminalize Sex Work is a U.S. national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2018, that pursues state-by-state legislative advocacy to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution. It produces policy research, briefing papers, and advocacy tools, and operates a 501(c)(4) lobbying affiliate.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
decriminalize sex work industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Advocacy
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)
Keywords
Where decriminalize sex work is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
decriminalize sex work business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tax-Deductible Donations to DSW (501(c)(3)): Donations to Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW), the 501(c)(3) educational arm of the organization, are tax-deductible. DSW focuses on public education, policy research, and outreach.
- Lobbying Donations to CDSW (501(c)(4)): Donations to the Campaign to Decriminalize Sex Work (CDSW), the 501(c)(4) lobbying branch, are not tax-deductible but support direct state-level legislative lobbying activities.
- Grant Funding: DSW operates a grants program that awards up to $15,000 to support efforts measurably contributing to the decriminalization of prostitution at the local, state, and/or federal levels in the United States. Grant awards typically span six to 12 months and are issued in monthly or quarterly increments.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
decriminalize sex work product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Decriminalize Sex Work is a national nonprofit advocacy organization that pursues a state-by-state legislative strategy to end the criminalization of consensual adult prostitution in the United States. The organization produces and distributes educational resources (briefing papers, videos, fact sheets, podcasts), maintains a state-by-state prostitution laws database, operates an online letter-writing advocacy tool for constituents to contact legislators, publishes a monthly e-newsletter, and runs a grants program awarding up to $15,000 to support grassroots decriminalization efforts.
Product overview
Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization pursuing a state-by-state strategy to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution in the United States. The organization operates two branches: DSW (educational arm) and CDSW (Campaign to Decriminalize Sex Work, 501(c)(4) lobbying arm). Their offerings include educational resources such as meticulously researched briefing papers with accompanying videos, a comprehensive state-by-state prostitution laws database, legislative fact sheets, and grant funding of up to $15,000 for decriminalization efforts. The organization also provides advocacy tools including a letter-writing platform for contacting state legislators, a monthly e-newsletter, and curated podcast content discussing sex work decriminalization issues.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Briefing Papers Meticulously researched briefing papers with accompanying short videos explaining reasons to decriminalize consensual adult prostitution, covering topics including criminal justice policy, human trafficking, public health, the Equality Model, immigration, race and stereotyping, disability, and other issues. Targeted at legislators and the general public.
- Legislative Fact Sheets Fact sheets covering specific legislative topics including ending publication of mugshots, patients' rights, study commissions, police sexual violence laws, and safe reporting laws. Used by advocates and legislators.
- State-by-State Prostitution Laws Database Interactive map and detailed explanations of prostitution laws for all 50 states and Washington D.C., including specific regulations, penalties, and related statutes. Used by advocates, journalists, and legislators to track the legal landscape.
- Decriminalization Grants Program Grants program awarding up to $15,000 to support efforts measurably contributing to decriminalization of prostitution at local, state, and/or federal levels in the United States. Grant awards typically span 6–12 months and are issued in monthly or quarterly increments. Targeted at grassroots advocacy organizations.
- Take Action Letter-Writing Tool Online tool allowing supporters to select from 11 pre-written sample letter templates and send them directly to their state legislators on topics including decriminalization, SESTA/FOSTA repeal, human trafficking, public health, and racial justice. Targeted at constituents and supporters.
- Monthly E-Newsletter Monthly national e-newsletter highlighting developments in efforts to end prohibition of prostitution and improve policies related to sex work, with additional state-specific legislative updates for subscribers in New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Targeted at subscribers and supporters.
- Decriminalize Sex Work Podcasts Collection of podcast series and episodes — including original series such as The Oldest Profession Podcast and guest appearances by DSW staff on external podcasts — discussing issues related to decriminalization of consensual adult sex work. Targeted at the general listening public.
- Campaign to Decriminalize Sex Work (CDSW) 501(c)(4) lobbying organization focusing resources on lobbying state legislatures to change prostitution laws, operating collaboratively with DSW. Accepts non-tax-deductible donations. Targeted at state legislators and lobbying donors.
Quantifiable outcome
- World Health Organization modeling shows a 46% reduction in HIV/AIDS rates if sex work is decriminalized
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use decriminalize sex work
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
decriminalize sex work technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
decriminalize sex work partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and flagship.
- Freedom Network USAcoreFreedom Network USA is a key ally in DSW's state-by-state decriminalization strategy. The two organizations co-hosted a policy briefing in Burlington, Vermont. FNUSA's position paper on decriminalization aligns with DSW's mission, stating that decriminalizing sex work is a necessary pre-condition to decreasing abuse and exploitation within the sex trades, including labor and sex trafficking.
- Rhode Island Legislative CommissionmajorA 13-member legislative commission composed of public defenders, law enforcement, civil liberties advocates, and sex workers with lived experience — including DSW's Henri Binx — recommended decriminalizing consensual sex work in Rhode Island in 2023. This commission's work led to current decriminalization bills in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
- SAFE SEX Workers Study Act (Congressional Bill)majorRepresentatives Ro Khanna and Barbara Lee, and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden, introduced the SAFE SEX Workers Study Act in Congress on December 17, 2019, to examine the effects of SESTA/FOSTA. DSW supported this bill calling for NIH to establish empirical data on the risks sex workers face. This represents DSW's engagement with federal legislative efforts.
- The Ishtar CollectivecoreThe Ishtar Collective is a sex worker-led labor rights organization that advocates for decriminalization and supports survivors of human trafficking. Henri Bynx, DSW's Chief Advocacy Coordinator, is a co-founder of The Ishtar Collective. The organizations work together on advocacy and lobbying efforts.
- Sharmus Outlaw Advocacy and Rights (SOAR) InstitutecoreCrystal DeBoise, DSW's Director of Strategic Partnerships, is the co-founder and co-director of SOAR. Melissa Sontag Broudo, DSW's Legal Director, is also the co-founder and co-director of SOAR. SOAR focuses on legislative policy and advocacy changes for sex workers and related communities in New York.
- Amnesty InternationalflagshipAmnesty International endorses the decriminalization of consensual sex work and recommends decriminalization of all laws that prohibit associated activities including buying, solicitation, and general organization of sex work. Their support is cited prominently on DSW's website alongside ACLU, Freedom Network USA, Human Rights Campaign, UNAIDS, and World Health Organization.
- World Health OrganizationflagshipThe World Health Organization has modeled a 46% reduction in HIV/AIDS rates if sex work is decriminalized and encourages countries to support the well-being of sex workers. WHO's endorsement is prominently displayed on DSW's website as evidence supporting the decriminalization case.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)flagshipThe ACLU supports the decriminalization of prostitution and opposes state regulation of prostitution, condemning the use of vagrancy or loitering laws to harass and arrest those engaged in solicitation. ACLU's policy is prominently featured on DSW's website as a major endorsing organization.
- Human Rights CampaignmajorThe Human Rights Campaign came out in support of decriminalization legislation in Washington D.C., stating that criminalization of sex work exacerbates violence targeting the transgender community, particularly transgender women of color.
- UNAIDSmajorUNAIDS urged world leaders to decriminalize sex work in a May 2020 statement about COVID-19 in prisons, citing the importance of decriminalization for the health and safety of sex workers.
- Woodhull Freedom FoundationmajorWoodhull Freedom Foundation is a co-plaintiff in the federal lawsuit (Woodhull Freedom Foundation et al. v. USA) challenging the constitutionality of SESTA/FOSTA. DSW submitted amicus briefs in support of this lawsuit and participated in related litigation efforts.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
decriminalize sex work competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center: Founded in 2001 as the US's first legal aid organization for sex workers; provides direct legal services and policy advocacy for sex workers' rights. Crystal DeBoise directed SWP for eight years before joining DSW, making it an organizational predecessor and direct peer in sex worker decriminalization advocacy.
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation: Sexual freedom and sex worker rights advocacy organization; co-plaintiff in Woodhull Freedom Foundation et al. v. USA challenging SESTA/FOSTA. DSW filed amicus briefs supporting Woodhull's litigation. Operates in the same sex worker rights and decriminalization policy space.
- Freedom Network USA: Coalition of anti-trafficking survivor-led organizations that explicitly endorses full decriminalization of sex work. Co-hosted DSW's Burlington, Vermont policy briefing in 2026 and is a flagship advocacy ally working the same legislative agenda.
- St. James Infirmary: Peer-based occupational health and safety organization founded by and for sex workers. Co-signatory on DSW's2019 amicus brief. Operates complementary service and advocacy functions in the same sex worker rights movement.
- Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP): International network of sex worker-led organizations advocating for decriminalization and sex worker rights globally. Operates the same advocacy mission as DSW but at global rather than US-state level, providing an international peer and resource partner.
- Desiree Alliance: US-based sex worker advocacy coalition formed to oppose anti-prostitution laws. Operates in the same sex worker decriminalization advocacy space and shares the political goal of full decriminalization rather than end-demand/Nordic Model frameworks.
- Sharmus Outlaw Advocacy and Rights (SOAR) Institute: New York-based sex worker policy and advocacy organization co-founded by DSW's Crystal DeBoise and Melissa Sontag Broudo. Operates as a state-level peer and affiliated organization within the DSW network.
Broad incumbents
- Amnesty International: Global human rights organization whose2015 policy adopted the decriminalization of consensual sex work. Endorsement is featured on DSW's website. Operates at vastly greater scale as a broad human rights incumbent with overlapping policy positions.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Major US civil liberties organization that supports decriminalization of prostitution and opposes loitering/vagrancy laws used against sex workers. Its policy is cited by DSW as a flagship endorsement and represents the broader civil liberties establishment backing the same cause.
Regional players
- COYOTE Rhode Island: Rhode Island chapter of Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics, a sex worker rights organization. Participates in the same Rhode Island legislative process where DSW's Henri Bynx served on the state commission; a local-level peer in DSW's most active state campaign.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
decriminalize sex work social profiles
Digital presencedecriminalize sex work financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
decriminalize sex work leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
decriminalize sex work funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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decriminalize sex work M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about decriminalize sex work
What does decriminalize sex work do?
Decriminalize Sex Work is a national nonprofit advocacy organization that pursues a state-by-state legislative strategy to end the criminalization of consensual adult prostitution in the United States. The organization produces and distributes educational resources (briefing papers, videos, fact sheets, podcasts), maintains a state-by-state prostitution laws database, operates an online letter-writing advocacy tool for constituents to contact legislators, publishes a monthly e-newsletter, and runs a grants program awarding up to $15,000 to support grassroots decriminalization efforts.
Is decriminalize sex work a public or private company?
decriminalize sex work is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was decriminalize sex work founded?
decriminalize sex work was founded in 2018.
Where is decriminalize sex work based?
decriminalize sex work is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does decriminalize sex work make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tax-Deductible Donations to DSW (501(c)(3)) is the primary driver. The others are lobbying Donations to CDSW (501(c)(4)) and grant Funding.
Who are decriminalize sex work's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center, Woodhull Freedom Foundation, Freedom Network USA, St. James Infirmary, Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), Desiree Alliance and Sharmus Outlaw Advocacy and Rights (SOAR) Institute. Broad incumbents are Amnesty International and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). COYOTE Rhode Island is listed as a regional player.
Does decriminalize sex work have an API?
No public API is recorded for decriminalize sex work.
What industry is decriminalize sex work in?
decriminalize sex work's product category is Policy Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAB, Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations, with a secondary code of BPAGAFAD, Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8300.