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In February 2025, Assemblywoman Maggy Krell introduced a significant piece of legislation aimed at combating sex trafficking in California. The Survivor Support and Demand Reduction Act (AB379) represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the sex trafficking crisis by focusing on victim support and reducing the demand for trafficking.

The Four Key Components of AB379

This bill would implement four critical measures to support survivors while reducing demand:

1. Establishing the Survivor Support Fund

The bill would create a dedicated fund using fines collected from offenders to support organizations providing direct services to survivors. This approach mirrors successful models like the one implemented by the San Diego City Attorney's office. In this model, men arrested for soliciting prostitution participate may be court-mandated into an education program aimed to reduce recidivism and those fines from the program are directed to survivor support services. 

2. Criminalizing Loitering with Intent to Purchase Commercial Sex:

Since California's 2022 decriminalization of loitering for prostitution (SB357), law enforcement has faced significant challenges in addressing sex trafficking. This provision would give officers the necessary tools to investigate cases, hold buyers accountable, and identify victims in high-trafficking areas.

3. Extending Protection to All Minors

The bill would make it a crime to purchase sex from any minor under 18, closing a critical gap in current legislation. Currently, under CA SB1414 (2024), purchasing sex is only a felony when the minor is under 16 years old. For 16 and 17-year-olds, prosecutors must prove they are victims of sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion to charge buyers with a felony. The newly introduced bill recognizes that all minors deserve equal protection under the law.

4. Implementing Diversion Programs:

Rather than imposing criminal penalties on those charged with selling commercial sex, prosecutors would be required to offer diversion programs. These programs connect victims with vital services and resources, potentially providing their first opportunity to receive education and support.

The Survivor Model Approach

AB379 aligns with the Survivor Model (also known as the Equality Model or Nordic Model), which has shown positive results in other countries.

This approach:

• Criminalizes the purchase of sex
• Decriminalizes those engaged in prostitution, recognizing them as victims
• Provides comprehensive support services to survivors

By addressing both demand reduction and survivor support simultaneously, this model offers a more effective strategy for combating sex trafficking.

Why This Legislation Matters

Sex trafficking disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including girls and women of color from impoverished neighborhoods, LGBTQ+ youth, and children from the foster care system. The current legal framework has left neighborhoods and businesses struggling with "blade activity" while victims experience increased violence.

Community organizations supporting survivors are overwhelmed and underfunded. This legislation would provide crucial resources while giving law enforcement the tools needed to effectively combat trafficking and protect victims.

Take Action

Supporting AB379 represents an important step toward providing more resources for victims, holding buyers accountable, and equipping law enforcement with necessary tools to fight sex trafficking.

We encourage readers to send letters to their lawmakers urging them to pass AB379. By adding your voice to this important cause, you can help create meaningful change for survivors of sex trafficking in California.

California residents can find their representative using the following website: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.

Our Commitment to Survivors and Change

At Singleton Schreiber, we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to combat trafficking. Every survivor we represent is a reminder of the importance of our work. Singleton Schreiber’s Sexual Assault Practice Group is committed to helping survivors of sexual assault and abuse seek justice and accountability.

By leveraging the civil justice system, we can hold businesses accountable, disrupt trafficking networks, and deliver justice for survivors. Together, we can make meaningful strides toward ending sex trafficking. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact Singleton Schreiber for a free, confidential consultation.