Sex workers must not be forgotten in the COVID-19 response

Abstract

As countries maintain or adjust public health measures, emergency legislation, and economic policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to protect the rights of, and to support, the most vulnerable members of society. Sex workers are among the most marginalised groups. Globally, most direct sex work has largely ceased as a result of physical distancing and lockdown measures put in place to halt transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), potentially rendering a frequently marginalised and economically precarious population more vulnerable. 1 Most sex workers, even those who can move their work online, have been financially compromised and some are unable to stop in-person services. 2 It is imperative that sex workers are afforded access to social protection schemes as equal members of society. As with all aspects of health, the ability of sex workers to protect themselves against COVID-19 depends on their individual and interpersonal behaviours, their work environment, the availability of community support, access to health and social services, and broader aspects of the legal and economic environment.3, 4 Stigma and criminalisation mean that sex workers might not seek, or be eligible for, government-led social protection or economic initiatives to support small businesses. Police arrests, fines, violence, disruption in aid by law enforcement, and compulsory deportation have been reported by sex workers across diverse settings, fuelling concerns that the pandemic is intensifying stigma, discrimination, and repressive policing.1, 2 Sex workers who are homeless, use drugs, or are migrants with insecure legal or residency status face greater challenges in accessing health services or financial relief, which increases their vulnerability to poor health outcomes and longer-term negative economic impacts.5, 6 Increased prevalence of underlying health conditions among sex workers 7 might increase risk of COVID-19 progressing to severe illness. 8 Demand for shelter and supported housing has increased as sex work venues have been shut down or rental payments default through loss of income. 2 Existing mental health problems are likely to be exacerbated by anxiety over income, food, and housing, alongside concerns about infection from continuing to work in the absence of social protection. 9 Risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is heightened for those who share drug paraphernalia for drug use. 10 Alternative ways of maintaining or extending treatment and drug substitute prescribing are important to save lives in places where services are closed or restricted or there are staff shortages due to sickness. 10 There is scarce reliable evidence of the risk of infection or complications of COVID-19 among people living with HIV, although the risk could be greater among those who are immunocompromised and not on HIV treatment. 11 Review evidence suggests, on average, use of antiretroviral therapies is already low among sex workers who are HIV positive in high-income and low-income settings. 12 It is crucial that disruption to health services does not further reduce access to HIV treatment and prevention or to vital services addressing domestic or other forms of violence.1, 2 Mathematical models suggest that even with widespread testing and contact tracing, in the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine, physical distancing will be a key intervention to prevent community transmission globally. 13 Early modelling that informed physical distancing policies did not account for the needs of vulnerable populations, or their access and adherence to official guidance. 14 Population-level gains, such as a reduction in hospital admissions and mortality, are likely to be intangible for marginalised populations for whom the immediate negative effects of physical distancing could be substantial. 15 The inability to work, reduced access to health services, and increased isolation are likely to result in poorer health outcomes and increased inequalities, particularly where individuals are largely excluded from formal social protection schemes. 16 Sex worker organisations have rapidly responded to COVID-19 by circulating hardship funds; helping with financial relief applications; advocating for governments to include sex workers in the pandemic response; calling for basic labour rights to facilitate safer working conditions; and providing health and safety guidance for those moving online or unable to stop direct services. 17 Worldwide, government initiatives have included supplying food packages to sex workers in Bangladesh, the provision of emergency housing in England and Wales, and the inclusion of sex workers in financial benefits in Thailand, the Netherlands, and Japan. Yet these schemes often exclude the most marginalised, including those who are homeless, transgender, or migrants.1, 2 There is a critical need for governments and health and social care providers to work with affected communities and front-line service providers to co-produce effective interventions. 18 Examples of necessary interventions are described in the panel . Existing sex worker organisations provide an essential foundation for community health work and in collaboration with health services they can facilitate, and ensure the appropriateness of, community testing and contact tracing as well as maximising the uptake of potential future COVID-19 vaccines or treatments. 19 Panel Key interventions to address harms of COVID-19 among sex workers All interventions and services must be designed and implemented in collaboration with sex-worker-led organisations. Social and structural interventions • Financial benefits and social protection for all sex workers including migrants with illegal or uncertain residency status • Immediate cessation of arrests, raids, and prosecutions for sex work and minor drug-related offences, and long-term reform of policies and laws that have been shown to be harmful to health • Provision of emergency housing to those who are homeless, moratorium on evictions, and assistance with rent or mortgage repayments for those in need Health services • Appropriately targeted health promotion advice on prevention of COVID-19 with language translation • Distribution of hand sanitiser, soap, condoms, and personal protective equipment • Maintenance and extension of person-centred services to address needs associated with mental health, alcohol and other drug use, physical and sexual violence, and sexual and reproductive health, including HIV treatment and transition-related care • COVID-19 testing and contact tracing among sex workers and marginalised groups Achieving healthier communities and controlling COVID-19 requires a collective and inclusive response. Resources and support for sex workers need to be prioritised. Involvement of communities in social protection schemes, health services, and information will enable sex workers to protect their health during this pandemic as equal citizens, in line with principles of social justice. 20 Reforms of social and legal policies, including decriminalisation of sex work, can reduce discrimination and marginalisation of sex workers and enable provision of vital health and social services. 3 This need becomes more acute as existing health and social challenges are exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.