Sex trade is on the ballot in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - At age 22, Patricia West already has her small-business model fully launched. She has done her market research, knows how to advertise online, and has a competitive rate structure.

There's just one problem: She works in the world's oldest profession - prostitution, which is illegal.

West wants that to change. She believes all sex workers, including exotic dancers and pornography stars, should be able to ply their trade free of the discrimination that comes with a criminal record.

They're supporting Proposition K, which would shift the city's focus from prosecuting prostitution to pursuing those who prey on sex workers and to increasing public-health outreach.

The goal, West said, is to reduce violence against women and improve the health of sex workers and their clients.

"It's a morally based, antiquated law," she said. "Decriminalize prostitution and you bring it out of the underground and off the black market. That way you can start organizing, clean up the dangerous elements."

The battle over Proposition K is causing political rifts in this free-thinking city, which for years has wrestled with ways to effectively regulate its vibrant sex industry.

The measure is opposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, District Attorney Kamala Harris, and much of the business community, who say it will attract criminal elements to the city and hamper efforts to fight human trafficking.

But it also has powerful backers. Placed on the ballot after receiving 12,000 petition signatures, Proposition K recently was endorsed by the Democratic County Central Committee.

Proposition K would ban San Francisco police from using any public resources to investigate or prosecute sex workers on prostitution charges.