Even though we have formally sunset as an organizing formation, we are still maintaining the instagram account @survivorsagainstsesta to amplify and promote SWer led actions and initiatives around the country/globe. Feel free to continue to send those requests for signal boosting to us via DM on that platform.
Also, due to the sheer volume of communication still happening via that platform, we felt an obligation to provide updated resources, action items and information regarding the laws popularly referred to as “SESTA/FOSTA”:
Both bills FOSTA (HR 1865 ) and SESTA (SB 1693) became one law on April 11th, 2018. What is popularly referred to as “SESTA/FOSTA” is actually named Public Law No: 115-164.
That exact wording can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ164/PLAW-115publ164.pdf
This Act is actually now popularly titled: ‘‘Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017,’’ and it is essentially the amended culmination of FOSTA (HR 1865 ) and SESTA (SB 1693).
The short of it is that this act exists:
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify that section 230 of such Act does not prohibit the enforcement against providers and users of interactive computer services of Federal and State criminal and civil law relating to sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking, and for other purposes.
A central point of concern for harm reduction and sex working people online:
Section 5 of the law states: ENSURING FEDERAL LIABILITY FOR PUBLISHING INFORMATION DESIGNED TO FACILITATE SEX TRAFFICKING OR OTHERWISE FACILITATING SEX TRAFFICKING.
This Act also makes allowances for States Attorneys to specially prosecute these cases. It is a very vaguely worded law, but its specified targets are online platforms, websites, companies/corporations behind site hosting. That being said, we know the broad and dangerous implications of such targeting.
#SurvivorsAgainstSESTA 