The government not helping sex workers only reinforces the cycle of poverty and prostitution. Now more than ever, we feel we have to work despite it being unsafe to do so. Our income has been cut and has pushed many off the ladder we were already clinging on to.

When the restrictions lift, you will find sex workers becoming more reliant on it for income as a way to reverse the economic impact as quick as possible.

This, in turn, puts greater pressures on already strapped services. I expect sex work to also increase post-lockdown

Becoming a street worker puts you at greater risk in terms of violence but also, there is easier access to drugs or being introduced to them.

Again, more pressure on services. Sex workers in drug services have a significantly longer turnaround time than non-swers.

Poverty is a huge push & pull factor for sex work. The further we are pushed into destitution, the harder it is to recover from. Add to this the stigma and marginalisation we face.

We should qualify for help, we need it.

The government has no leg to stand on when it comes to anti sex worker laws when austerity and particularly, their response to this crisis, has done nothing but fuel the cycle. They offer no funding for services to help exit & have left us to fend for ourselves.