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Students turn to sex work to make ends meet at university, study finds Students turn to sex work to make ends meet at university, study finds
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Many students are secretly turning to sex work in order to fund basic living costs while at university, according to a study. Many students are secretly turning to sex work to fund basic living costs while at university, a study has found.
Research by Swansea University shows one in 20 students have worked in the sex industry while studying for a degree, and men are more likely to do so than women. Research by Swansea University shows one in 20 students has worked in the sex industry while studying for a degree, and men are more likely to do so than women.
Students are involved in everything from prostitution and escorting to stripping and internet work, the Student Sex Work Project report found.Students are involved in everything from prostitution and escorting to stripping and internet work, the Student Sex Work Project report found.
The researchers have called on universities to do more to support those involved, which could be as many as tens of thousands of UK students.The researchers have called on universities to do more to support those involved, which could be as many as tens of thousands of UK students.
Dr Tracey Sagar, who led the study, said: “We now have firm evidence that students are engaged in the sex industry across the UK. The majority of these students keep their occupations secret and this is because of social stigma and fears of being judged by family and friends.Dr Tracey Sagar, who led the study, said: “We now have firm evidence that students are engaged in the sex industry across the UK. The majority of these students keep their occupations secret and this is because of social stigma and fears of being judged by family and friends.
“And, we have to keep in mind that not all students engaged in the industry are safe or feel safe. It is vital now that universities arm themselves with knowledge to better understand student sex work issues and that university services are able to support students where support is needed.” “And we have to keep in mind that not all students engaged in the industry are safe or feel safe. It is vital now that universities arm themselves with knowledge to better understand student sex work issues and that university services are able to support students where support is needed.”
Related: Student by day ... lap-dancer by nightRelated: Student by day ... lap-dancer by night
The study, paid for by the Big Lottery Fund, involved 6,750 students, of which 5% of men and 3.5% of women said they had worked in the sex industry, while nearly 22% overall said they had considered doing so.The study, paid for by the Big Lottery Fund, involved 6,750 students, of which 5% of men and 3.5% of women said they had worked in the sex industry, while nearly 22% overall said they had considered doing so.
Nearly two-thirds of those involved said their motivation was to fund a particular lifestyle and 56% said it was to pay basic living costs, while two-fifths wanted to reduce their debts at the end of their course.Nearly two-thirds of those involved said their motivation was to fund a particular lifestyle and 56% said it was to pay basic living costs, while two-fifths wanted to reduce their debts at the end of their course.
Money was not the only motive, as three-fifths thought they would enjoy it, 54% said they were curious and 44% cited sexual pleasure as their motivation.Money was not the only motive, as three-fifths thought they would enjoy it, 54% said they were curious and 44% cited sexual pleasure as their motivation.
However, up to a quarter reported that they had found it difficult to leave the industry, while a further quarter did not feel safe doing sex work.However, up to a quarter reported that they had found it difficult to leave the industry, while a further quarter did not feel safe doing sex work.
The report said the number of those accessing counselling rose to 21% for student sex workers – but universities often had no specific policy to deal with the issue.The report said the number of those accessing counselling rose to 21% for student sex workers – but universities often had no specific policy to deal with the issue.
Dr Sagar, an associate professor of criminology at Swansea University, said: “Our research has not been about encouraging students into sex work, it has been about supporting students who are in sex work. And this is the reality, students are engaged in sex work occupations – this is a fact. Another fact is that some of them need advice, support and sometimes assistance to step away from the industry. Sagar, an associate professor of criminology, said: “Our research has not been about encouraging students into sex work, it has been about supporting students who are in sex work. And this is the reality, students are engaged in sex work occupations – this is a fact. Another fact is that some of them need advice, support and sometimes assistance to step away from the industry.
“At the moment students feel so stigmatised and judged that they are afraid or at least very reluctant to disclose their occupations to staff and services at universities that could help them. Stereotyping is also a problem. “At the moment, students feel so stigmatised and judged that they are afraid or at least very reluctant to disclose their occupations to staff and services at universities that could help them. Stereotyping is also a problem.
“Sex work is widely but wrongly perceived to be an occupation that is predominantly taken up by women and this means that males may fall through the student support net because they are not associated with sex work occupations.”“Sex work is widely but wrongly perceived to be an occupation that is predominantly taken up by women and this means that males may fall through the student support net because they are not associated with sex work occupations.”
The UK student population numbered 2.3 million in 2012-13, according to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.The UK student population numbered 2.3 million in 2012-13, according to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.