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NHS Lanarkshire has joined North and South Lanarkshire Councils and local women’s support agencies to declare prostitution as a form of violence against women.

The united effort t o affirm prostitution as a form of commercial sexual exploitation is reinforced by the “challenging demand approach” which criminalises solely the buyer of sex rather than those who are selling or exchanging sex, which in the main, are women.

Organisations across Lanarkshire have agreed that prostitution is firmly rooted in gender-based violence.

Aligned with the aims of Equally Safe, the Scottish Government strategy, the challenging demand approach advocates that addressing demand is fundamental to reducing commercial sexual exploitation and promoting gender equality.

It recognises the inherent imbalance in power between men and women in society, which in turn is mirrored and reinforced through commercial sexual exploitation. Challenging demand aims to prevent and reduce levels of genderbased violence as well as change cultural attitudes that perpetuate such abuse.

Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire chief executive said, “NHS Lanarkshire has joined a number of other organisations to reject the criminalisation of those involved in the selling of sex.

“Gender-based violence is recognised as a public health priority and NHS Lanarkshire ensures our staff are aware of the physical and mental health and wellbeing harms that can arise through commercial sexual exploitation.

“We continue to do everything we can to support women.”