Funding to support sex workers during the coronavirus pandemic has been made available by the Scottish Government.

A total of £61,771 will be given to nine organisations to provide financial and emotional assistance to prostitutes in Scotland.

Ash Denham, community safety minister, said women working in the sex trade may be experiencing “extreme hardship” and are less likely to be able to access support.

Ms Denham said: “Stigma and the hidden nature of prostitution creates a barrier to engagement with mainstream services.

“It is essential that specialist services, such as those within the Encompass Network, provide a bridge to national support and this funding will enable such services to reach out to women to help them access assistance and counselling.”

She added: We continue to work closely with victim support organisations and justice partners to understand the impact Covid-19 is having on those most at risk.”

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