CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Alison Boden, executive director of adult trade group the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), recently attended the annual conference for ACAMS—the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists—where she spoke with bank officers, anti-trafficking NGOs and government officials about the need to secure financial access for those in the sex industry.
Boden reports that, to her surprise, many agreed.
“While some in the banking industry no doubt have moral objections to our industry, most were aware that existing detection systems for money laundering and sex trafficking unfairly target legal businesses and consensual sex workers,” Boden said. “But no one on their side has made it a priority, so it’s incumbent on us to make it one. It’s unfair, but if we’re going to stop discrimination, we have to take the lead. We have to be part of these discussions. There's a willingness to change and we have the opportunity to collaborate on the solution.”
At panels, keynotes and in private conversation, participants acknowledged the need to separate sex work from sex trafficking, Boden relayed. In response to a question she posed to Andrea Gacki, the newly-appointed FinCEN director, Gacki said that she will prioritize protecting vulnerable populations from de-banking—now a public statement on the record.
“This was an incredibly productive conference, and we need to be at more of these,” Boden said. “Not just attending the event, but on panels, speaking and presenting information and research that will drive change. Over and over again, I had organizations approach me to offer assistance, or ask us for data, or to otherwise understand what was happening. We need to be in the room to combat the stereotypes, misinformation and stigma. We have a long road ahead, but I’m confident that with work, we can reduce the financial discrimination and instability that plagues adult businesses.”
