Policy Description:

FOSTA/SESTA refers to a pair of bills passed in the United States:

FOSTA (Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act):

• Enacted in April 2018, FOSTA is aimed at combating online sex trafficking.
• The law amends Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, making it easier to target websites that knowingly facilitate or promote sex trafficking.

SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act):

• SESTA is essentially the same legislation as FOSTA, but it refers specifically to the Senate version of the bill.
• The full name of the legislation is the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) and the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA).

The primary purpose of FOSTA/SESTA is to hold online platforms accountable for facilitating sex trafficking. It allows both federal and state authorities to take legal action against websites that knowingly host content related to sex trafficking. The bills were designed to provide law enforcement with additional tools to combat illegal activities taking place on the internet while also protecting victims.

The concerns include:

Censorship and Self-Censorship: FOSTA/SESTA has led to the shutdown of various online platforms that were used by sex workers to vet clients, share safety information, and organize. Fear of legal consequences has also prompted some platforms to implement stricter content moderation policies, resulting in the removal of content related to sex work, even if it's consensual and legal.

Loss of Income: Sex workers who relied on online platforms for advertising and connecting with clients have faced economic challenges as a result of the closures and increased risks associated with their work.

Safety Concerns: With the closure of certain online platforms, sex workers may have been forced to return to riskier, street-based work, which can pose greater safety risks.

While the intention of FOSTA/SESTA is to address the serious issue of sex trafficking, the debate surrounding the legislation highlights the complexity of balancing efforts to combat illegal activities with the unintended consequences for individuals engaged in consensual and legal sex work. Critics argue that a more nuanced approach is needed to address both concerns effectively.

Capacities & Vulnerabilities Analysis (CVA) FOSTA/SESTA Policy

Categories	Vulnerabilities	Capacities
Women	Non-binary & Transgender	Men	Women	Non-binary & Transgender	Men
Physical/Material What resources and skills as well as hazards exist that affect people's productivity?

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