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The recent introduction of university top-up fees along with the economic uncertainty caused by the recession has led to the most financially difficult times for students. Unsteady growth in the economy and government indications that students may have to pay even more in the future will not make things any easier. It may come as no surprise then that nothing is off limits – not even escorting – when it comes to earning money to fund study.

The numbers are startling. One in four students claim to be aware of other students who work in the sex industry while more than one in ten students have themselves contemplated turning to escorting, according to a report from Kingston University by Dr. Don Roberts. Students, despite the ambiguity of the word ‘escort’, are well aware that escorts are expected to have sex with their clients – those that think sex isn’t necessarily a condition of escorting still believe the temptation of taking money for sex would be strong, says the Manchester student newspaper Student Direct.

There are real advantages to escorting work say students – it pays a lot more than usual student jobs that take place in bars or shops and the hours can be more flexible allowing the social life that students still want to enjoy. Yet the biggest disadvantage, the social stigma still attached to the idea of escort work, remains a big enough obstacle to turn most people off. Most but not all, as the same study from Dr. Roberts concludes that people from traditionally more privileged social backgrounds are more open than ever to working as escorts.

The National Union of Students has voiced its worries that students may not be getting the support they need in the face of financial troubles, yet the government has paid hardly any attention to the matter saying only that students are funded generously. The universities themselves have been accused of ignoring the issue, using the excuse that it might happen elsewhere in the country but certainly not at their institution, to protect their reputation.

If universities and the government turn a blind eye to the growing number of student sex workers the trend of students funding themselves through university by escorting is only likely to continue, with unknown effects for their academic achievements.

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