Students paying way through uni with sex work

Hundreds of students at University of Bristol could be engaging in sex-related work including stripping, phone sex, pornography and prostitution to pay their way through their studies, according to research.

A survey by Epigram, the student newspaper, found that 6.5 per cent of students have done some kind of sex work, with more than 70 per cent saying they had been motivated by financial pressures. The university has about 20,000 students.

The survey also found that 4.3 per cent of respondents had been in “sugar baby” relationships, an arrangement with an older man or woman who pays for companionship which may or may not include sex.

An Epigram survey carried out in September found that less than one per cent of respondents said that their maintenance grant covered their living costs and 76 per cent said they had to work to help cover their cost of living.

The university recommends working for no more than 15 hours a week in order to leave sufficient time for academic study.

In March 2015, the Student Sex Work Project found that 4.8 per cent of almost 7,000 student respondents had been involved in sex work in some capacity and that about one in five had considered working in the sex industry at some point.

Research carried out by the University of Leeds in 2010 elaborated on how “sex as a product is now sold alongside mainstream industries“and found that “there is clearly a relationship developing between sex work, student financial survival strategies and debt”.

Mark Ames, director of student services for University of Bristol, told Epigram: “We are not currently aware of any particular issues relating to our students engaging in sex work.

“However, the University of Bristol has a variety of support services available to all students; those facing financial difficulties or any other issues can access non-judgmental support easily and confidentially.

“Relevant specialist services include our Student Funding Team, Students’ Health Service and Student Counselling Service.”

He added: “The university understands financial management is challenging for students, but there are many opportunities for students to work part-time within the university and we also provide advice about finding part time work elsewhere.”

A motion to support student sex workers was passed in the June 2015 student council, which aimed to protect students from stigmatisation and provide more information and resources specifically at students who engage in this type of work.

Alice Phillips, co-writer of the motion and last year’s union equality, liberation and access officer, told Epigram: “I was inspired by other unions who had passed policy on decriminalising sex work and reading the Student Sex Work Project report – which seemed to offer some really concrete ideas for how to improve things for student sex workers on campus.”

Epigram’s survey found that 36 per cent thought the social stigma around student sex work is declining, while 34 per cent thought it was not. However, a majority of students surveyed (51 per cent) thought that it was acceptable for students to earn money through these means.

A third-year Philosophy and Psychology student said: “I think in general people are starting to think twice about making rash judgements about people who engage in sex work.”

Another student, who engaged in sex work, said: “I was sold a lie. I can now see that I did it because I live in a world where I have been told my worth depends on what men are prepared to pay.

“I have stopped now, but I don’t think I will ever recover from what was essentially to me, paid rape with a happy hooker smile on my face. Sex work is not work like any other job. ”

A mature student, who asked to be called Andromeda, said: “For me, money isn’t an issue. I have enough money. I enjoy watching porn and enjoy making it even more. It’s much funner making it.’

With regard to students pursuing sex work while studying, Jamie Cross, the current equality, liberation and access officer of the student union, said: “I think everyone should have the right to do whatever labour/work they want to do with their time/bodies and I believe that sex work is real work, and a reality for students. Decriminalising sex work keeps student sex workers safer and with a greater range of opportunities.”

The Belle de Jour blog, The Diary of a London Call Girl, spawned a best-selling book and a successful TV series. The real life Belle, it was revealed later, was working as a researcher at the University of Bristol.