The University of Leicester may have withdrawn its ‘student sex worker toolkit’ and the training based on it, as we explained in our last update, but the “sex work is real work” and “sex work is empowering” ideology still dominates in most UK universities. Not only do most student unions actively promote this position, but we hear from students that they are taught it in social science degree courses.

Many young women tell us that they found out the hard way that the reality doesn’t match this rhetoric. For example, Emily, one of our members, who turned to “sex work” when she was in dire financial straits at university a few years ago, says:

“I was sold a complete lie. It’s not easy money. To the buyer, you are nothing more than an object for their consumption, not an actual human being with emotions. You are expected to just put up with whatever they want to do and say to you.

“The exchange of money makes them feel entitled to treat you however they like, with no regard for your feelings or consent. Not only that, but the buyers know very well how to push the price down as low as possible – they know that you’re vulnerable and that you need the cash and they have no problem using that to their advantage.”

She now believes that young people should be given better information and warned about the dangers.

That’s why we are holding a conference, ‘Students for Sale’, in London on Saturday 15 October – with the aim of kickstarting a national conversation about the reality of the sex trade and the dangers it poses to young people.

Do please come along if you can. It’s shaping up to have a brilliant programme. Tickets are only £5 (concessions £3).

And do please help us promote it, and invite your friends, family, and colleagues to come along too.

You can find out more and buy tickets using the link below.