5 Apr 2020

Covid-19: approaches to sex workers during lockdown raises concerns

9:59 am on 5 April 2020

Concerns are being raised over the health of sex workers who are still being approached for their services.

Catherine Healy, The New Zealand Prostitutes Collective co-founder becomes a Dame.

Prostitutes Collective national co-ordinator Dame Catherine Healy Photo: RNZ/Rebekah Parsons-King

Prostitutes Collective national co-ordinator Dame Catherine Healy said some members were upset that prospective clients were still trying to meet up, and that some websites were still advertising face-to-face services did not help.

Dame Catherine said sex workers - like other service providers - were struggling financially.

They were reluctant to apply for the government's wage subsidy, because that meant their names and occupations were being recorded.

Sex workers worried about that should contact their local Prostitutes Collective branch to get help applying for financial support, she said.