On Thursday last week (20 January 2022), we delivered a printed copy of the petition with the full list of comments and signatures to the University of Leicester. At the time of printing, the signature count stood at 13,345 signatures, with 83 organisations listed as official supporters. Sincerest thanks to every single one of you.

Even though we will be keeping the petition open for signatures until Leicester revokes their toolkit, we decided to deliver the petition now because the university told us that they would be conducting a formal review of the policy this month.

You can read our account of what happened in the article linked below. But here is how Katie summed up her feelings about it:

“As soon as we walked in, you could tell that they weren’t interested in any kind of conversation. I hoped that telling my story might make them reconsider their standpoint.

I find it extremely difficult to talk about my history in prostitution, but I really wanted to explain the long-term impacts that it can have. I feel a responsibility towards these young female students to protect them from the struggles I have experienced, and I don’t understand why Leicester University doesn’t seem to feel the same responsibility.

Please, Leicester, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are talking to teenagers who have just left home for the first time.”