Boston — Survivors of violence, prosecutors, health practitioners and sex‑worker advocacy groups urged the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to favorably report H17‑47, an "immunity for safe reporting" bill that sponsors and witnesses said would remove a key barrier to reporting violent crimes against adult consensual sex‑workers.

Melissa Prudhom, legal director at the SOAR Institute and an attorney who has drafted safe‑reporting laws in other states, told the committee the measure has precedent in nearby states and is designed to help victims and witnesses come forward without fear of arrest. "This bill," Prudhom said, "would facilitate a better relationship between people in the sex trade and law enforcement and help to get more violent predators." She cited cases in which sex‑workers declined to report serial predators for fear of arrest.

Multiple current and former sex‑workers testified that peer warning networks exist but are no substitute for a formal guarantee that a report of a violent offense will not lead to prosecution for related prostitution or minor drug possession charges. Maya Onikoroshi of the Boston Sex Workers and Allies Collective said safe reporting would give "some peace of mind" and allow people to call police or seek medical care after kidnappings, robbery, or assaults.

Legal advocates said the bill is narrowly tailored: it requires reports be made in good faith, limits the scope of immunity to specified nonviolent offenses associated with consensual activity, and preserves prosecution for trafficking, sexual assault, or violent crimes. Rebecca Cleary, an attorney and trafficking‑survivor advocate, said the good‑faith requirement and nexus language were designed specifically to reduce misuse.

Public‑health and criminal‑justice researchers urged that the bill be accompanied by public education and clear law‑enforcement directives so vulnerable communities are aware of the protection and officers follow it. Doctor Stacy Hannam, a criminologist, pointed to international evidence that reporting improves when criminal penalties are removed and said outreach to affected communities and policing bodies is essential.

Ending: The committee did not vote. Sponsors said they planned to circulate amendments and work with law‑enforcement and advocacy groups on implementation and public‑education plans.