The Sheffield Students’ Union Council has passed a package of support for student sex workers.
The Council, the body which decides all policy for the SU, voted to look into funding a series of sexual health education classes for students, and committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces for students.
The SU will also actively promote existing resources and aiming to make services available for those involved in sex work, making assistance more accessible for those who need it.
The action comes in light of two surveys, conducted by ITV News, which have found that 3% of UK students are turning to sex work to pay bills, and 6% of Yorkshire students have considered sex work due to the cost of living.
The policy was proposed by student representatives Joseph Newman (LGBTQ+ Students Representative Councillor) and Daisy Watson-Rumbold (Ethical & Environmental Councillor).
In the Council’s December meeting, Newman argued for the policy:
“Following the most recent Liberation Forum, we noted how little there was in regard to supporting student sex workers. With 3% of students having engaged in sex work, we need to support these students. Financial assistance, free STI testing, PrEP [preventative medication for aids] and birth control must be signposted.”
The official policy statement reflects the SU’s concerns for student sex workers, arguing that “the invisible nature of sex workers has excluded them from full consideration in policy and support services”, and that the “stigma directed towards sex workers can be isolating and dehumanising”.
The minutes for all SU Council and Executive meetings can be found here.
