Prostitutes should not be afraid of reporting violence says the GMB

They are being invited to a meeting in the city of the South West TUC which will be addressed by Ana Lopes, founder of the International Sex Workers' Union and herself a sex line operator.

Ms Lopes is leading the recruitment campaign for the GMB union which voted during the summer for the right of people working in the sex industry to join it.

The campaign is aimed at prostitutes working the streets as well as those in parlours and escort agencies.

It is also targeting those operating adult chat lines and porn actors.

'Sticking together'

The South West TUC says these are among the most vulnerable of workers, open to abuse and violence, but it says they should not be out of the reach of trade unions.

Tim Lezzard, of the TUC in the South West said: "Trade unions are open to everyone whatever their profession - it is their human right.

"We can offer legal protection about harassment and violence."

He added: "In Plymouth the police have been much more open with prostitutes and they are addressing their concerns more seriously.

"But this is about sticking together and giving sex workers the confidence to approach the police."