ALBANY, NY (WENY)--SEX TRADE SURVIVORS AND ANTI-TRAFFICKING ADVOCATES ARE LOOKING TO MAKE BIG CHANGES TO NEW YORK STATE’S LAWS DEALING WITH PROSTITUTION. 

“I consider myself one of the lucky ones that managed to escape, many others do not,” said  Gabrielle Prieto, a sex trade survivor.

ONE BILL CALLED THE SEX TRADE SURVIVORS JUSTICE AND EQUALITY ACT -- IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BY ENSURING PEOPLE WITHIN PROSTITUTION ARE NOT PROSECUTED.

INSTEAD THEY WOULD BE SUPPORTED WITH COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING AND TRAUMA-INFORMED MEDICAL CARE.  

THE BILL WOULD ALSO ENACT STRICT PENALTIES FOR PIMPS, SEX BUYERS, AND TRAFFICKERS. 
 
BUT THIS BILL FAILED TO PASS IN ALBANY BEFORE SESSION ENDED BACK IN JUNE.   
 
“The truth is, I find that most legislators don’t really want to talk about prostitution, and trafficking and exploitation of young girls, and men and children because it's so uncomfortable,” said Sen. Liz Krueger (D-28th Senate District).
 
BUT SEN. KRUEGER SAid THEY’RE NOT GIVING UP.  
 
AT THE SAME TIME – THERE IS ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN ALBANY TRYING TO ADDRESS THE SAME ISSUE ISSUE.
 
THAT BILL WOULD DECRIMINALIZE PROSTITUTION ALTOGETHER-- BUT MANY ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS HAVE ALREADY COME OUT TO SAY THEY ARE OUTRIGHT OPPOSED TO THE IDEA.  
 
“The alternative path of total decriminalization of everyone and anyone involved is a serious step backward,” said Krueger. 
 
SEN. JULIA SALAZAR, THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THE DECRIMINALIZATION BILL -- ARGUES DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK WOULD INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND REDUCE CRIME.  
 
"When sex workers can report abuse and other crimes against them without fear of being criminalized for their work, they not only are more likely to bring perpetrators to justice, but also deter such crimes from happening in the first place," said SalazAR. 
 
bOTH BILLS ALREADY FAILED TO PASS THIS PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BUT THEY COULD GET A SECOND CHANCE WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THE CAPITOL IN JANUARY.