Safety fears as vice girl service is withdrawn

Published on Wednesday 26 November 2008 20:41

EDINBURGH'S long-running support service for prostitutes is to be wound up after funding was cut by two thirds.

Leith-based SCOT-PEP announced the move last night amid fears vice girls operating in the capital would face increased risk without a dedicated service to turn to.

Ruth Morgan Thomas, manager of the 20-year-old project, said there were now "extreme concerns" due to the withdrawal of an existing outreach and support service at the end of March.

It currently provides a vehicle offering a drop-in facility three nights a week in Leith, safe sex advice, free distribution of condoms and public safety advice.

NHS Lothian officials told the group last week that its funding was being cut from 150,000 a year to just 50,000 because sex workers are not seen as being a "high risk" for being infected with HIV.

SCOT-PEP said the new funding deal was rejected on the grounds it was "totally inadequate to provide a proper service''.

Six staff will be laid off under the plans to wind up the project, although SCOT-PEP will continue to campaign and provide advice.