Desperate mums are turning to sex work to feed their kids in the cost of living crisis, say charities.
Calls to support group the English Collective of Prostitutes rose by a third in six months – and 70% of callers are mothers.
Some fit in sex work around the school run, while others have jobs but need to subsidise childcare.
Spokeswoman Laura Watson said: “We are hearing from some women who have never done sex work before, also women who managed to get a different job and are now going back into sex work because of the cost of living.”
Some mums are feeding their children but cannot afford meals for themselves. Ms Watson said sex work was “one of the only jobs where the hours are flexible and there’s potential to earn more than other jobs more quickly”.
Vulnerable women are also telling the Collective that rising inflation means they face bigger risks.
“There’s less clients, so they are doing longer hours, possibly taking clients they wouldn’t have before,” said Ms Watson.
“They are having to be less picky to cover their expenses The increased risk is very worrying.”
One single working mother says she sees “no way out” of webcam sex work due to “crippling” childcare costs of up to £700 a month. Anna, a trainee solicitor whose son is five, said the work made her feel dirty, violated and sick.
She added: “You have to have a thick skin, as there will be those who go to webcam sites to hurl abuse at women, or ask you to role-play sick scenarios.”
Two years ago mounting bills forced Anna into actual escort work “at grotty hotels”. She felt “violated and worthless” so quit after two sessions, but kept up the webcam work. “As it stands, I fear I will have to return to escorting again,” she says.
Anna has turned to maternity charity Pregnant Then Screwed, whose boss Joeli Brearley demands more social infrastructure spending. “Women should not be forced to enter this industry due to financial issues,” she says.
The English Collective of Prostitutes is part of the coalition Hookers Against Hardship which wants prostitution decriminalised to improve safety for women.
