Find out about the support available for students who do sex work.
Students and sex work
At Sussex we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for every member of our community including students who are involved in sex work.
According to a survey conducted by the NUS in 2016, 1 in 20 students are engaged in sex work while 1 in 5 have considered it. With the cost of living crisis, inflation and rising fees, students are under more financial pressure than ever before, we are aware that some are turning to sex work as a way of surviving and achieving their degree.
Examples of sex work are:
- webcam modelling/stripping/pornography
- glamour modelling
- dancing in strip clubs
- selling sex
- escorting
- being a sugar baby.
Sussex Student’s Union have a webpage dedicated to supporting this area, where further information and support can be found.
We aim to support all our students without discrimination. The support services on this page are accessible to all our students including those involved with sex work.
Support at Sussex
Find out about the support we offer at Sussex.
Disclosing harmful behaviour
If you or someone you know has been affected by unwanted behaviour such as sexual violence and misconduct, stalking, bullying, harassment, domestic abuse, discrimination, hate incidents, or spiking, you can get support by using our Report + Support platform.
All staff, students and visitors to our campus can use this site to:
- Make a report to the University so that an advisor can talk you through options for support or further action.
- Find information about and access University and specialist support services.
- Make an anonymous report to make the University aware of your experience, (please note we will assess whether any action can be taken on anonymous reports without revealing the reporter’s identity, though often no action is possible). Reporting anonymously enables the university to build a statistical picture of incidents. Please see FAQs for more information).
- Make an anonymous report and sign in to our two way messaging service to exchange messages with an advisor without revealing your identity.
Peer Support
A Peer Support Group for Sussex students is facilitated by therapists and the Sexual and Domestic Violence Response Advisor. The group is open to all individuals aged 18+ currently studying at the University of Sussex who have experienced sexual violence, abuse, or harassment, in any form and at any time in their life.
It is a safe, welcoming and trauma-sensitive space for students to come together and gain support from each other.
If you are interested in attending, please email SVDV@sussex.ac.uk to arrange an initial chat before attendance.
Hardship fund
Our hardship fund is a fund that can be applied to if financial hardship is affecting a student.
Further information and support options
For further information and support, visit our pages about harassment and sexual misconduct and therapeutic services.
Local and National support
SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Project) offers free, confidential and non-judgemental information and support for women who live or work in the sex industry in Sussex.
NUM (National Ugly Mugs) is a UK-wide charity working with sex workers to provide support services to people in adult industries.
Health support
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at Crawley hospital gathers forensic evidence after sexual assault. Students can attend with or without the Police or an investigation. If without Police, the SARC will store the material for approximately two years to give time to reflect and decide if you wish to pursue an investigation. The University will fund a taxi to and from the SARC.
Sexual health
The SOLAR clinic is a specialised clinic for STI testing at the Claude Nicole Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The SOLAR clinic is for people who have been sexually assaulted, appointments can be booked ahead and students will be treated with dignity and respect.
Sex workers are welcome to attend Brighton Sexual Health clinics and can be offered a whole range of infection prevention measures. Clinics can be accessed at the Morley Street clinic or the Claude Nicol Centre. It is not necessary to disclose sex working to reception, by saying you are there for the 'Abbey Road Clinic' it will be understood and fast-tracked as far as possible.
The NHS offers a free Meningitis vaccine to anyone sex working in Brighton & Hove. The Meningitis jab helps protect against Gonorrhoea.
Confidentiality
We work to ensure support for all students who are involved or impacted by sex working, while complying with University policy and relevant legislation. For more information please see our privacy notice.