Survey: 1 In 20 UK Students Engage in Sex Work During University

UNITED KINGDOM—Results from a survey conducted by academics at Swansea University and National Union of Students (NUS) Wales have revealed that one in twenty university students in the United Kingdom admit to “selling their bodies for sex while studying, with men more likely to do so than women," Newsweek reported today. "The study also revealed that nearly a quarter of students in the UK have considered sex work to fund their time at university,” the article added. The survey also revealed that students take advantage of the range of sex work available to people today, including “prostitution, escorting, stripping and internet porn.” That latter category can include a variety of options, from shooting porn for web-based producers to camming and everything in between. Statistically, there are very likely to be some sugar babies in the group as well. Not surprisingly, the survey also revealed that financial concerns and the fear of ending school with massive debt is, as it was with Duke’s Belle Knox, the main factor behind the decision to engage in sex work. “Research shows one of the biggest reasons students go into sex work is the money it brings them. They’re scared of coming out of university with debts of £30,000,” said Rosie Inman, women’s officer for NUS Wales, who also argued that, “... government and universities must provide more financial assistance and welfare support to students.” While there is clearly less personal stigma associated with considering sex work than there used to be, issues of shame also were raised by the study. “Co-author of the report Dr. Tracey Sagar, an associate professor of criminology at Swansea University, said many students feel stigmatized and judged for becoming involved in the sex industry, making them afraid to speak out and reluctant to seek help,” reported Newsweek. Gender bias raised is ugly head as well, with Sager noting, "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 study concludes that one in twenty students have explored sex work of one kind or another, but truth be told the percentage of those who have could be higher. While it remains a bold choice, it is also becoming one that is no longer that out of the ordinary.