Published Date:
27 November 2008
By BRIAN FERGUSON
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.
The full article contains 198 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
26 November 2008 9:14 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Prostitution
,
Edinburgh's sex industry
