Covid-19: Health needs of sex workers are being sidelined, warn agencies

Agencies have criticised the lack of action to protect the health needs of sex workers during the pandemic, with the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) warning of a “ticking time bomb of health problems.” Sex workers are at heightened risk of ill health,1 substance misuse, and violence,2 said the ECP, and unless the services they rely on resume normal operation soon and sex workers’ financial hardship is tackled, their health problems will multiply. National Ugly Mugs, a sex worker safety scheme, told The BMJ that a survey of its members in late April found that they were struggling to access sexual health and family planning services, hygiene products, and antibiotics during the …