FEMINISM
“You own the rights your body and choices”:an interview with student sex workers WORDS BY CHARLOTTE COLOMBO
In the last two years, the number of students trying sex work has doubled. According to Save The Student, who ran a recent investigation into student sex work, one in 25 students (4%) have tried a form of adult work. This survey cited rising expenses and living costs as a primary cause for students being ‘pushed’ into sex work - but this is a very big and question-begging assumption to make.
This taught me that there was a platform for things like that but of course it never crossed my mind to do it myself and for money until I started university.
Beth: I was first introduced to sex work when I saw a girl, I knew from my hometown advertising her content on social media, and I was interested as to why she was doing it. She explained how much money she had made in such a short amount of time Why is it assumed that students, especially female and I was stunned, but being in a happy relationship students, don’t have much of a choice in the matter? at the time, I never considered it myself. Why is it so hard to believe that students see this as How long have you been doing sex work for? a viable, enjoyable and secure source of income? Indeed, Louis Theroux’s recent documentary Lily: I’ve been doing sex work for 3 years now since Selling Sex raised serious questions about the the beginning of university. way in which sex workers are seen - with subjects of the documentary criticising him for twisting Beth: I’ve been doing sex work for a year now. the narrative to make the sex workers appear vulnerable and victimised. What made you decide to do it? Was it sol If one thing is clear, it’s that narrative surrounding ely financial or other factors, too? sex workers needs serious rethinking. Lily and Lily: I suffer from a number of unpredictable health Beth, who are both in the final year of their conditions that make it very difficult for me to work university studies, create adult content on the website OnlyFans alongside their degree. They were longer than a few hours at a time. I wanted to be able kind enough to sit down for an interview with me to pick up my phone at any point and earn some cash from the safety of my own home. As my parents earn to explain, in their own words, the empowering over a certain amount, I get the minimum student truth about student sex work as a valid moneyloan, meaning that it doesn’t even cover my housing making option. rent. How were you introduced to sex work? A combination of these two factors drove me to choose the line of work. Lily: When I was about 14 me and my friends would visit Chatroulette (a live chat/webcam Beth: I initially started it because I needed money, site online) and that was the first time I was ever exposed to a stranger’s private parts online, being it but after talking to some girls within the industry, I realised it was actually quite a good job to have, just a chat site. as it paid more than I had ever been paid before. 20
WESSEX SCENE
