The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: First Offender Prostitution Programs

• In Event: Critical Approaches to Sex Crime and Sex Offending in Law, Policy, and Reform Movements

Abstract

The First Offender Prostitution Program (FOPP) in San Francisco is a court diversion program aimed at reducing the volume and impact of sex buying by targeting those who purchase sex. People eligible to attend FOPP have gone through the community court system in San Francisco, and have no prior arrests for prostitution-related offenses or violent offenses. In 2015, after the founding community organization program closed, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office solicited bids from community organizations to evaluate the current curriculum, recommend and implement improvements, and pilot a new FOPP. This process resulted in a curriculum that incorporates a men-helping-men approach. The hoped for outcome of this new curriculum is that attendees will leave with an expanded understanding of male-role belief systems, male privilege, and how these sustain sex buying. Based on observation of an FOPP class held in November 2015, this paper presents findings from qualitative data collection and analysis to argue that the new FOPP curriculum remains largely unchanged. Like its predecessor, inaccurate data is presented throughout the day-long class, shaming techniques are used, and there is an over-relianceof gendered and heteronormative portrayals of who buys and sells sex.

Author

• Alexandra Lutnick, RTI International