Prostitution as a profession has been legal in Brazil since 2012, but it continues to be severely demonized and sex workers are regularly victims of prejudice, abuse, and violence. Moreover, despite being a recognized profession, sex work is not regulated; there are no rules on hours, vacations, career progression, retirement, or anything of the sort. What there is, at the very least, is a limbo in which thousands or perhaps millions of women find themselves, as a means to support themselves and their families.

However, with the Covid-19 pandemic, the lives of countless sex workers have become even more difficult. Even high-end escorts — known in Brazil as “luxury prostitutes” — face difficulties, as social distancing rules imposed by state governments make it difficult for professionals and clients to circulate who, moreover, would be at risk if they were infected.

Full article at The Brazilian Report’s website. Date of publication: 10/04/2020.