Rome is a city in Oneida County, in upstate New York, with a population of approximately 32,000. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city and surrounding communities and in unincorporated areas of Oneida County. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates result in complaints to law enforcement agencies. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market are sex trafficking, child endangerment, and violence committed against those involved in these transactions.

Consumer-level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. For example, in May 2014, a man from Rome was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and a fourth-degree sex offense in a reverse sting in Maryland. In 2019, a man and woman were arrested for prostitution at a boat launch in Rome. Officers were dispatched to the boat launch at 4 p.m. in response to a complaint of lewd behavior. They found a vehicle with a 64-year-old man inside, who was later charged with public lewdness and third-degree patronizing of a prostitute. His identity was released to the public.