University of Bristol Independent Student Newspaper
www.epigram.org.uk
14th December 2015
Issue 295
Student double Features lives: debt and sex-related work
Adele Fraser
Epigram/The Sun
reacts to The Sun’s ‘1 in 5’ survey
Page 6
George Clarke Online News Editor Dalia Abu-Yassien Deputy News Editor
1 in 15 respondents have engaged in sex-related work
Students ‘Reclaim the night’ in march Many people took to the streets to join ‘Reclaim the Night,’ a march organised by the Bristol Student Union in protest of sexual violence towards women. On a cold night in November, an estimated 300 people were present as supporters gathered with banners in Queen’s Square, before walking up to the student union. A candlelit vigil and a minute silence was held around the statue before the march started, in remembrance of those who have been affected. The silence did not
continued on page 5
Continued on page 3
Comment Scarlett Sherriff argues that students can and need to do more about the refugee crisis
Page 10
Science UOB research is steering the future of roads Page 13
Nissen Press
Style
Epigram gets
backstage access Robert Priessnitz
Jack Francklin News Reporter
last for long. As soon as it was time to leave, the organisers of the event from the student union were keen to get the chants going whilst banners proclaiming ‘FUNdamental rights’ and ‘No means No’ were held aloft. This idea of unity was fundamental to many. Katie, a fourth year student at the University of Bristol, proclaimed: ‘It has been a great turnout and you can feel the positive energy we are giving off.’ It certainly had the desired effect, with onlookers in bars and pubs clapping and supporting the march as it continued up Park Street under the Christmas lights.
Epigram investigated the prevalence and perceptions of sex-related work among students in Bristol in an anonymous survey carried out last week. The survey of 140 self-selecting respondents found a small number of students did engage in this type of work and were primarily financially motivated. Sex-related work included stripping, phone sex, pornography and prostitution. Predictably, the vast majority said that they had not engaged in any. However, the 6.5 per cent of students who said that they did partake in some form of sex work highlights the existence of the issue. The main motivation was overwhelmingly financial; only 29 per cent of students who said they engaged in this type of work cited pleasure as the reason. The survey also found that 4.3 per cent of respondents had been in ‘sugar baby’ relationships - namely, a contractual arrangement with an older man or woman who pays for companionship which may or may not include sex. Most students, however, did not consider non-sexual sugar baby relationships a form of prostitution. An Epigram survey carried out in September found that less than one per cent of respondents said that their maintenance grant covered their living costs and 76 per cent said they had to work to help cover their cost of living. However, part-time work can be hard to find, is poorly paid and can take up long hours. The university recommends working for no more than 15 hours a week in order to leave sufficient time for academic study. Sex-related work can be very lucrative over short periods of time.
In March 2015, the Student Sex Work Project found that 4.8 per cent of almost 7000 student respondents had been involved in sex work in some capacity and that about one in five had considered working in the sex industry at some point. Research carried out by the University of Leeds in 2010 elaborated on how ‘sex as a product is now sold alongside mainstream industries’ and found that ‘there is clearly a relationship developing between sex work, student financial survival strategies and debt.’ Mark Ames, the Director of Student Services for University of Bristol, told Epigram: ‘We are not currently aware of any particular issues relating to our students engaging in sex work. However, the University of Bristol has a variety of support services available to all students; those facing financial difficulties or any other issues can access non-judgemental support easily and confidentially. Relevant specialist services include our Student Funding Team, Students’ Health Service and Student Counselling Service. ‘The findings of research, such as the Student Sex Work Project by the University of Swansea earlier this year, are generally used to raise the awareness and understanding of our staff supporting students, and help us clarify the balance between the support we can provide and that which is better provided by external, specialist agencies. ‘The university understands financial management is challenging for students, but there are many opportunities for students to work part-time within the university and we also provide advice about finding part time work elsewhere.’ A motion to support student sex workers was passed in the June 2015 Student Council, which aimed to protect students from stigmatisation and provide more information and resources specifically at students who engage in this type of work.
to the Co-Exist fashion show Page 29
Music Epigram Music round up a wonderfully musical year with their favourite albums of 2015 Page 42