THE impact of coronavirus on prostitution is to be explored in a Scottish Government consultation.
Ministers are asking for observations on the effect the pandemic has had on women involved in the sex industry.
A paper published alongside the Government consultation said concerns have been reported that during lockdown, “women in prostitution were resorting to higher-risk practices” such as offering unprotected sex.
The consultation also asks if the Scottish Government’s current approach to tackling prostitution is sufficient to prevent violence against women and girls.
READ MORE: MSPs back bill to boost support for sex offence victims
Launching the consultation, Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said the Government “supports measures to help reduce the harms caused by prostitution”.
She added: “Men have a critical role in challenging violence, including reducing the demand for prostitution.
“It is vital that we break down gender norms, stand up to the normalisation of harmful behaviours and work together to achieve greater gender equality in our society – something which will benefit all of us, our families and communities.”
The consultation runs until December 10, and the minister added: “This is an opportunity for everyone with an interest and with insights to help inform future policy decisions about how we address this form of gendered violence, protect the human rights and dignity of women and improve their outcomes.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel