DESPERATE people in Worcester are being forced to turn to sex work to be able to afford to pay bills.

There are fears that some are even being coerced into selling their body as part of what is known as 'survival sex'

The issues was first brought up by city councillor Richard Udall who has been told sex work was becoming more prevalent.

And now a charity based in Bransford, near Worcester, has warned that poverty has long been a driver for people to sell sex.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre said it was aware that more women are becoming involved in "survival sex".

They said: "We are aware that more women are becoming involved in survival sex.  We make no judgement at the branch and offer instead a safe space for support. 

"Survival Sex is where people need to exchange sex to live or to meet a need, this may be in exchange for food, a roof over their heads for the night or for ongoing rent/mortgage payments and bills or to ensure that their children have food, items and some security.

"Some may be exploited and/or forced into this, some may feel that they have no other choice. 

"Poverty has long been a driver for people to sell sex and this can only be exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis." 

Cllr Richard Udall, St John's city councillor, warned it was an issue which affected both men and women.

He has been contacted by people concerned with the increase in prostitution in the city.

He said: "This is a serious concern, the cost-of-living crisis is driving people into desperate measures, both men and women are being forced to take decisions which they should never have to make, just to get by and to help pay the bills. 

"It's an industry known for exploitation, including drugs, organised crime and people trafficking. 

"The very nature of the work is secretive, violence and abuse against workers is very common, we need measures in place to ensure no children or vulnerable young people are being exploited."

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He said: "We need to uncover how serious the problem may be, what can be done to help prevent people from turning to the sex industry for a living and what can be done to help the men and women who feel they have no choice. 

"The sex industry has always existed, but that does not make it acceptable for it to continue in 2022.

"People are turning to the industry, not from choice, but from necessity."