Charity dropped from Scottish plan to help sex workers over 'occult' claim

The Scottish government's strategy to support women working in the sex industry has been cast into disarray after it was forced to ditch a proposed partnership with a charity whose founder has suggested most sex workers have had exposure to "occult" activities, citing yoga as one example.

- Libby Brooks

The Scottish government abandoned plans to partner with the Luton-based Christian charity Azalea, which offers "practical, emotional and spiritual support to women sexually exploited through prostitution", after a backlash from organisations working to end violence against women.

The creation of a national network of "commercial sexual exploitation hubs" was announced in February as part of Scottish government plans to "support women to safely exit from prostitution and challenge men's demand for prostitution".

Recently published freedom of information responses reveal that the Scottish government suggested Azalea, which also offers mentoring for men "to significantly reduce their purchasing of sex", as a potential partner to councils piloting these hubs, a proposal ultimately rejected by Glasgow city council as "dangerous" and "at odds with [our] entire approach to tackling prostitution".