Scotland Pushes Partnership With Anti-Porn Activist Who Thinks Sex Workers Are 'Possessed by the Devil'

Scotland Pushes Partnership With Anti-Porn Activist Who Thinks Sex Workers Are 'Possessed by the Devil'

EDINBURGH, Scotland — A leading sex worker advocacy group in the U.K. reports that the Scottish government has instructed local authorities to partner with controversial Christian charity Azalea, led by a religious anti-porn activist who has stated that sex workers are “possessed by demons.”

According to a report by the North Edinburgh Press, sex worker safety charity National Ugly Mugs (NUM) received tips from individuals in local councils in Scotland that the ruling Scottish National Party has recommended those councils work with Azalea, whose founder and head, Ruth Robb, has in the past recommended performing exorcisms on sex workers

Robb also believes yoga is an “occult practice” and that sex work leads to a “lesbian lifestyle.” She told her local newspaper that watching pornography is an “unhealthy habit” similar to “buying sex.”

Azalea has been drafted by the Scottish government as part of an initiative by Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, a Nordic Model proponent who created a network of regional “commercial sexual exploitation hubs” in February. According to Brown, this network will “support women to safely exit from prostitution and challenge men’s demand for prostitution.”

In June, government officials made presentations throughout Scotland promoting collaborations with Azalea, “as part of an approach to persuade men not to purchase sexual services,” and praising the group’s initiatives as “similar to approaches within the Nordic Model.”

The Nordic Model technically decriminalizes the selling of sexual services but ramps up penalties and enforcement for buyers of sexual services and third parties profiting off of sex workers. Its goal is to end sex work in all forms and “rescue” sex workers, whom it categorizes as invariably exploited.

According to the North Edinburgh Press report, NUM also reviewed documents released under the U.K.’s Freedom of Information Act, showing that the Glasgow City Council has refused to take part in Brown’s scheme, citing “dangerous plans to involve Azalea, and complaining that ministers have given no detail or structure in relation to governance, accountability, outcomes, milestones, monitoring, evaluation, funding or timescales for it.”

Robb has written guidebooks for Christian organizations doing sex worker outreach. According to Robb and co-writer Marion Carson, “Most prostitutes have had some exposure to the occult,” and her guides offer a checklist to determine if a sex worker is undergoing “demonic possession.” Supposed symptoms include “flailing limbs” or a “sudden change of voice.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Ofcom: Age Assurance Going Live Across 'Thousands' of Porn Sites

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement Thursday that providers of online pornography are implementing age assurance across “thousands of sites” accessible in the U.K., in response to Ofcom’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement program.

ASGMax Debuts 'Roleplay' AI Chat Feature

Alpha Studio Group (ASG) has introduced the ASGmax Roleplay AI chat feature.

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Show More