Risks being taken through desperation
Sex workers are continuing to work during the coronavirus lockdown despite the risk to their health, charities have warned.
Scotpep in Edinburgh and Umbrella Lane in Glasgow are calling on the Scottish Government to help sex workers amid the covid-19 crisis.
Drug use and poverty is forcing them onto the streets during lockdown, exposing them not just to health risks but increased exposure to violence.
Kathryn, a spokeswoman for Umbrella Lane, said: “Sex workers are facing an unprecedented crisis.
"Covid-19 has meant intense poverty for an already-precarious group.
"Sex workers are desperate to protect their health and everybody’s health by staying at home, but to do that they need money – they need to be safe from poverty, hunger and eviction.
"We are calling on the Scottish Government to intervene to help avert catastrophe."
The charities say the workers are still being targeted by police for being on the street or even for sharing flats.
Kat, a spokeswoman for Scotpep, said: “It is horrific beyond belief that even amidst this crisis, sex workers are still facing criminalisation.
"We are calling on the Scottish Government to ensure that no sex worker will be arrested during this crisis – sex workers deserve safety and rights, not arrest.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Everyone should be staying at home, avoiding social contact and avoiding travel except for reasons of essential work, care and exercise – meaning non-essential business must cease and those not following these rules are putting themselves, their community and the NHS at unnecessary risk and facing fines or prosecution.
"We have introduced measures which apply both to those driving the demand and those engaged in prostitution, and we support a range of services which can help reduce the harms caused by prostitution - including those that have recently arisen as a result of the pandemic.
“We are aware that there are many women in vulnerable personal and economic circumstances, including sex workers and would encourage anyone who is experiencing hardship to engage with the support services available.
"We are working with health boards to ensure sexual health services continue to operate and that delays to patient treatment are minimised."
