Newsom’s SEX WORK U-TURN – Cynical CALCULATION?

A dramatic surge in sex trafficking has forced California Governor Gavin Newsom to reverse a landmark decriminalization law, reigniting fierce debate over civil rights and public safety.

At a Glance

• Governor Newsom repeals a law he signed just three years ago
• AB 379 restores penalties for loitering to purchase sex, amid trafficking concerns
• The reversal comes with bipartisan support, highlighting a shift in priorities
• Newsom’s decision reflects a broader debate over civil rights versus public safety

Newsom’s Stunning Policy Reversal

Governor Gavin Newsom stunned supporters and critics alike in July 2025 by signing AB 379, which reverses the controversial SB 357 he had championed just three years prior. SB 357 had removed misdemeanor penalties for loitering with intent to engage in prostitution, a move initially celebrated by activists as a win for civil rights and the protection of marginalized groups. However, since its enactment, law enforcement and community leaders reported a visible spike in open-air sex work, and a marked increase in cases of sex trafficking—especially involving minors.

Watch: Newsom Signs Bill to Crack Down on Criminals Who Buy Teens for Sex · YouTube

Newsom’s new legislation, AB 379, reinstates penalties for loitering to purchase sex and introduces harsher punishments for those soliciting minors aged 16 and 17. The move was propelled by mounting bipartisan pressure, with moderate Democrats joining Republicans to call for urgent action amid concerns about the state’s ability to protect its most vulnerable residents. The Governor, now rumored to be positioning for a national campaign, framed his reversal as a “necessary evolution” in response to the unintended consequences of decriminalization.

Political Fallout and Social Divide

The policy flip has rocked California’s political landscape. Supporters of AB 379 argue that the relaxed laws of SB 357 directly enabled traffickers to exploit minors and made streets less safe for both residents and sex workers. Many point to a dramatic rise in reported trafficking cases and increased complaints from neighborhoods most affected by visible street prostitution as undeniable evidence of the law’s failure.

Critics, however, warn that restoring anti-loitering penalties risks reviving discriminatory policing practices—particularly against women, transgender people, and communities of color. Civil rights advocates accuse Newsom of bowing to political expediency at the expense of marginalized Californians, noting a spike in harassment complaints following early enforcement sweeps. Meanwhile, anti-trafficking activists insist the state must prioritize the protection of minors over ideological commitments to decriminalization, even as the long-term impact on community-police relations remains unclear.

National Ripples and Unanswered Questions

California’s abrupt about-face is sending shockwaves across the nation. As the largest state and a frequent policy bellwether, California’s experiment with sex work decriminalization—and its swift reversal—will likely inform legislative debates in other states confronting similar tensions between public safety and civil liberties. Lawmakers elsewhere are watching closely to see if Newsom’s gamble can successfully suppress trafficking without reigniting harmful policing patterns.

The challenge now facing California is whether this new approach can deliver safer streets without returning to old patterns of discrimination and over-policing. The Governor has promised new support for trafficking survivors and stricter enforcement against exploiters, but skeptics warn that deeper, systemic reforms are still urgently needed.

The battle over sex work policy in California is far from over—and the nation is paying close attention.