Protecting Sex Workers from Police Violence in Rhode Island
The Honorable Carol Hagan McEntee
Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, State of Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Capitol
Providence, RI 02903
The Honorable Jason Knight
First Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, State of Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Capitol
Providence, RI 02903
The Honorable Matthew S. Dawson
Second Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, State of Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Capitol
Providence, RI 02903
March 24, 2026
RE: Woodhull Freedom Foundation Support for H8272 – “An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Law Enforcement Sexual Misconduct”
To the House Committee on Judiciary,
Woodhull Freedom Foundation submits this written testimony in strong support of H8272, which prohibits law enforcement sexual penetration and sexual contact when the victim is in police custody, under arrest, or subject to an investigation and thus cannot consent.
Woodhull Freedom Foundation is an organization dedicated to defending sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. Woodhull protects individuals’ rights across the United States to enjoy sexual dignity, privacy, and consensual sexual expression without societal or governmental interference, coercion or stigmatization. As part of this work, we address the reality of police sexual violence in our Fact Checked by Woodhull series on sex work. H8272 is crucial to end police sexual violence including that perpetrated against sex workers.
Police sexual violence is the second-most prevalent form of police violence behind excessive force, victims are often hesitant to report their experiences though. Thus, there are likely exponentially more cases than have been documented. Sexual assault is already illegal; however, police sexual violence is unique because an officer of the law inherently has power and control over their victim. They can use that power to coerce their victim and can then later assert that the sexual contact was consensual, which leaves victims fearful to report an assault, or victims are not believed when they do report. A law explicitly prohibiting sexual contact with someone in police custody or someone who is the subject of an investigation is necessary to ensure these crimes don’t go unpunished, that victims feel safe to report their experience, and that law enforcement is able to build trusting relationships with communities.
Custodial sexual assault can affect anyone who comes into contact with law enforcement, but marginalized people are especially at risk. The International Association of Chiefs of Police’s “Addressing Sexual Offenses and Misconduct by Law Enforcement Executive Guide” acknowledges that policing “create[s] opportunities for sexual misconduct” because officers “have power and authority over others” and “engage with vulnerable populations who lack power and are often perceived as less credible”, including juveniles, people involved in the sex trade, undocumented people, those with substance use disorders and mental illnesses, etc.
Most states across the country have already addressed this issue; Rhode Island is now one of only 16 states that does not explicitly protect victims in law enforcement custody. In fact, neighboring states have begun amending existing custodial sexual misconduct laws to make them even more effective. In 2023, Vermont expanded its law to not only protect people in police custody but also subjects of investigations and confidential informants. Massachusetts and New York legislators are currently considering similar legislation. H8272 protects persons who have been seized, detained, placed in custody or under arrest, confined in a correctional or law enforcement facility or vehicle, and/or are subjects of an investigation or questioning. This bill would not only bring Rhode Island law up to speed with the rest of the country’s protections against custodial law enforcement sexual misconduct; it would make Rhode Island the tenth state to protect victims in a broader swath of police interactions.
It is time for Rhode Island law to catch up with the rest of the country and prevent police misconduct, protect especially vulnerable members of the community, and support victims of sexual assault. Critically, this bill will benefit law enforcement officers by fostering trust from the communities they serve. We strongly urge the House Committee on Judiciary to support the passage of H8272.
Your consideration of these matters is very much appreciated.