A pilot of the hub will begin this summer followed by a phased national rollout.

Announcing the plans on Tuesday, Holyrood said the hub will bring together specialist services that support women affected by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) - linking them more closely with local mainstream services, such as housing, health and social security.

It will aim to tackle the stigma attached for those with experience of the sex trade and will challenge men's demand for prostitution.

The hub will be rolled out in a phased approach across:
• Edinburgh and the Borders
• Highland, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen and Dundee
• Glasgow and Ayrshire

Following that rollout, the hub will provide a network of support where organisations across Scotland can seek advice.

Siobhian Brown, victims and community safety minister, said: "Prostitution is recognised as a form of violence against women and girls, and is exploitation.

"By linking mainstream and specialist services, we will make it easier for women to access the support they need so they can sustainably exit from prostitution.

"A key part of our new strategy is the need to tackle the drivers of commercial sexual exploitation, including social and economic inequalities and the need for collective leadership from government, the third sector and beyond to tackle these.

"A new multi-agency group on commercial sexual exploitation will be established in March to help progress this work."

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The Scottish government said the strategy had been informed by a range of partners, including those with experience of prostitution.

Linda Thompson, national coordinator of Women's Support Project (WSP), said: "The WSP is pleased to see the Scottish government reiterate that CSE in all forms is violence against women and that those exploited must have robust comprehensive support and exiting services across the country.

"We hope that national and local leadership, with commitment, partnerships and specific resources, will disrupt this industry and hold to account all those who benefit and profit from the exploitation of inequality and vulnerability."

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