A person generally commits the crime of prostitution by engaging in sexual contact or offering to engage in sexual contact in exchange for money or other consideration.
It is also a criminal offense to solicit (on a person's own behalf, or on behalf of another person), promote, or compel prostitution. For example, most states have laws that make it illegal to buy, sell, or profit from prostitution—which is generally the business of pimps and other human traffickers—known as pimping, pandering, procuring, soliciting, promoting, or compelling prostitution.
Prostitution laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.
In Vermont, prostitution is illegal under state law. The crime of prostitution typically involves engaging in, offering, or agreeing to engage in sexual activity in exchange for money or something of value. Vermont statutes also criminalize the activities associated with prostitution, such as soliciting, promoting, or compelling another person to engage in prostitution. This includes actions commonly referred to as pimping, pandering, or procuring. The laws are designed to penalize not only those who offer and provide sexual services for compensation but also those who facilitate or profit from such activities. These offenses are outlined in the Vermont Statutes, specifically within the criminal code, and carry various penalties depending on the nature and severity of the offense.