| “Criminalizing sex work normalises violence against women” -The Guardian |
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This policy is a union stance that allows us to break down the stigma of undertaking things like OnlyFans in this current cost-of-living crisis. Under the Cost-of-Living Crisis students are more inclined to gravitate to perceived easier ways to make money, one being Only Fans. Seeing other people’s success or ease with this only incentivises it more. This policy is more about being able to speak openly about this, the union to support people who want to pursue this and ultimately make them aware of the safe ways to go about it. That being regarding their identities, careers and futures at the university. We want to support and not shame, taking away the taboo surrounding getting help if you work within that industry however that may be defined. Specifically with online identities it’s important to protect yourself and your mental health. “The rise in living cost, debt, the increase in tuition fees and the slashing of benefits, it is likely that some students do sex work alongside their studies in order to get from month to month”- NUS Model Motion Supporting the full decriminalisation of sex work. This is a harm-reduction focused approach; it also allows for students to seek support if they find themselves harassed by other students, there is our SVLO (Sexual Violence Liaison Officer) in student services who can provide support if needed, an a developing Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy that will help prevent violence toward our students. In Student Services there is also a report and support tool which will help students to contact the wellbeing service and the SVLO.
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| Support: |
| Sexual Violence Liaison Officier: svlo@aber.ac.uk. |
| Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/studentservices/sexual-misconduct/support-service/ |
| Student Services: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/studentservices/ |
| Dignity and Respect Policy: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/info-staff/employment/dignity/#definitions * |
| Hardship Fund: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/studentservices/money/managing-money/thestudenthardshipfund/ |
| Report + Support: https://reportandsupport.aber.ac.uk/ |
| Another aspect of this we want students to be aware of is that if you’re staying in university accommodation be wary of your licensing agreement as this could affect your tenancy and ultimately your student status at the university. |
| 2022-2023*: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/media/departmental/accommodation/pdfs/112462-Residents-Handbook-2023-ENG-(final)-web-(002).pdf |
| It is also worth looking into other models at different institutions to understand processes and how if students wanted to develop this policy into a campaign, they could do that in an effective way. External resources are linked below. |
| Revenge Porn Helpline: https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/resources/university-student-advice/ |
| Leicester University: https://le.ac.uk/criminology/research/student-sex-work/toolkits-and-resources |
| https://le.ac.uk/courses/cpd-students-involved-in-the-sex-industry/2022 |
| Trinity St David: Sex Work | UWTSD |
| *2022-2023 Residents Handbook linked as it the most up to date version that still includes outlines of the Licensing agreement. |
| *All policy at AU apply to both staff and students |