What is sex work?
Sex work is an umbrella term that covers activities where there is an exchange of sexual services for money or goods. This can include direct sex work, such as working in a brothel or escorting and indirect sex work, such as webcamming.
Examples of sex work can include:
- Selling sexual acts
- Dancing in a strip club
- Providing dominatrix/submissive services
- Acting in the porn industry
- Glamour modelling
- Selling items online for sexual gratification
NB: Not all people that provide these services will identify as a sex worker.
Is sex work legal?
- It is legal to sell and buy sex between consenting adults in the UK. However, it is illegal to solicit and loiter on the street, work collectively (with one or more people) in a brothel or to assist in the organisation of brothels.
- If the sexual act is not consensual, it is not only not legal, it is not classed as sex work. Non-consensual sexual interactions are sexual violence.
Is it a disciplinary issue?
The University of Greenwich will not exclude or penalise students for engaging in sex work. The University will work to provide any individual support that is needed for the student.
What can Report and Support do?
Non-consensual sexual interactions are sexual violence and not sex work. If someone has disclosed an act of sexual violence, discuss with them what they would like the next steps to be. This may mean reporting the issue to Report + Support - University of Greenwich. If the person agrees to reporting the issue we can then provide further support.
What support services are available for sex workers?
National Ugly Mugs (NUM) – A national safety and reporting organisation which provides greater access to justice and protection for sex workers. Sex workers can submit reports about dangerous clients which are sent to other sex workers and front-line support projects in the UK.
SWARM – A sex worker led collective based in the UK which campaigns for the rights and safety of all sex workers.
SAAFE (Support and Advice for Escorts) – A collective of independent escorts who offer a range of advice, guidance and support on all aspects of the paid sex industry.
Pineapple Support Society – A free support and therapy service for people working in the online adult industry.
Revenge Porn Helpline – A service supporting adults who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as revenge porn.
Open Doors – A free and confidential advice service in East London for people working in the sex industry.
Clinic S – A free and confidential service for women, men, trans and gender non-binary individuals, working in the sex or adult entertainment industry.
United Voices of the World – A union which works with strippers and sex workers to lobby for better working conditions and worker status.
Sex Work Research Hub Student Sex Work Toolkit - A toolkit for students who are involved in the sex industry with information regarding their work and the availability of help and support if needed.