fostalize

v. fos ta lize. A neologism, said from the view point of a sex worker (SW) to describe the predicament in which they find themselves following the promulgation of USA laws FOSTA and SESTA of 2018. The word is derived from the more prominent law's acronym. The two laws were passed, ostensibly, to interdict the occurrence of nonconsensual sex trafficking; in other words to combat sex slavery--often of minors. SW's--most of whom do not consider themselves needing rescue; and their activity they consider to be adult and mutually consensual--feel affected as innocent bystanders. (Oh, yes; SW's also consider themselves innocent). For SW's these laws have greatly degraded their ability to meet clients and vet clients for safety without encountering the ever present scrutiny of law enforcement. SW's have needed to re--occupy unsafe spaces; street solicitation has increased. The shuttering of such sites as Craigslist singles ads by FOSTA has affected SW's world-wide. Because, hey; most of them are single too.