These are external links and will open in a new window. While levels of violence were far lower compared with street sex workers, instances of stalking and online harassment were prevalent. Their services ranged from so-called "webcamming" - where clients paid to see performances in front of a camera - to escort services.
Advertising sexual services online is not illegal, with a recent Home Office report suggesting there were between 60,, sex workers in the UK. The report found that two-thirds of those asked had been a victim of harassment in the past five years, while nearly half said they feared having their privacy breached and being "outed" as a sex worker to their family and friends. The report's authors said the police response to the issues was inconsistent and often under-developed, with forces instead focussing on trafficking and street work.
Prof Teela Sanders, who also led the research, added: "Persistent emails, persistent phone calls, people turning up at the door of people's homes and some of these had gone on for six, seven, eight years. Sex worker Laura Lee, who has worked in the industry for 24 years, told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme : "The internet can only protect us so far.
The study also found that most of the sex workers who took part said they would not be involved in the sector had it not been for the internet. Charlotte Rose, an escort and sex work activist, said there was still huge shame attached to the job. The Scottish government said it was focussed on preventing vulnerable individuals entering prostitution and reducing the harm associated with the selling of sexual services.
A spokesman added: "In November we published an ambitious delivery plan for our strategy to tackle and eradicate violence against women and girls. Det Supt Stuart Houston from Police Scotland said the force recognised that there may be a reluctance by some involved in prostitution to come forward and report matters to the police.
