[not quite sure how we missed this information. xtalk has worked with members of SCOT-PEP for years and this news really is depressing. for more information see the SCOT-PEP website.]

On 26 November SCOT-PEP reluctantly announced that from 31 March 2009 it would cease to provide outreach and support services to women involved in the sex industry in Edinburgh. This follows a meeting with NHS Lothian, who have funded our services since 1995, where SCOT-PEP was informed that our funding was to be dramatically cut by two thirds. The Board and staff are agreed that the funds being offered would not allow us to provide an effective quality service and maintain the infrastructure required to provide the services and have decided to reject the offer.

This decision was extremely hard in the light of the current political climate of driving prostitution further underground by criminalising clients and others involved. SCOT-PEP’s departure from the scene after 20 years of delivering services will leave the city without a dedicated service to ensure that the needs of sex workers are addressed.

No other agency in Scotland has challenged poor legislation and its impact; sought to change society’s attitudes towards sex workers; defended our human rights and promoted dignity of those involved. SCOT-PEP WILL NOT STOP DOING THIS! We will continue this important role and will seek to restructure the organisation as a voluntary campaigning group bringing together sex workers and allies to argue for better legislation and services and ensure the voices of sex workers are not lost.

For further information call Ruth Morgan Thomas on 0131 622 7550.

If you wish to express your concern about the withdrawal of funding and its impact on services for sex workers please contact:
Jim Sherval
Public Health Specialist at NHS Lothian
Telephone: 0131 536 9374
Email: jim.sherval@lhb.scot.nhs.uk