A nonprofit organization has filed a lawsuit challenging Alaska’s prostitution statute, seeking to decriminalize consensual adult sex work. Community United for Safety and Protection filed the complaint in December in Alaska Superior Court.
Community United for Safety and Protection (CUSP) is a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on advancing the rights and safety of sex workers and sex trafficking survivors. The group works to distinguish between voluntary sex work and human trafficking while promoting policy reforms that prioritize worker safety and autonomy over criminalization approaches.
The lawsuit argues that criminalizing prostitution violates the Alaska Constitution’s privacy guarantees by intruding on private decisions regarding bodily autonomy and consensual sexual relationships without compelling government interest.
The filing also alleges the law violates equal protection principles because it disproportionately targets workers while failing to equally criminalize those who pay for sexual services. The suit contends the current law increases risks for people who already face high rates of gender-based sexual violence.
Amber Batts, a writer and member of the organization with experience in sex work advocacy, explained the group seeks decriminalization rather than legalization. She said decriminalization would remove criminal penalties while legalization would create licensing requirements and regulatory frameworks that could require workers to operate under specific conditions.
The organization has previously worked to separate public and legislative perceptions of voluntary sex work from forced labor trafficking. The group emphasizes listening to perspectives of actual sex workers and trafficking survivors to develop effective anti-trafficking strategies without restricting rights.
The Alaska Department of Law said the state has not yet been served with the lawsuit. A spokesperson said the department’s role is to uphold and defend state laws, which it will do in this case.
Historian David Reamer noted that Alaska historically showed “significant social acceptance” toward sex workers and red light districts. Nationwide, prostitution is legal in some parts of Nevada and partially decriminalized in Maine.
Colorado could become the first state to fully remove criminal penalties for prostitution among consenting adults if legislation passes this year. However, some law enforcement officials have opposed such measures, citing concerns about coercion, fraud, addiction and economic pressure that may compromise true consent.
