Durham University offering training to students on how to be a sex worker

A general view of Durham Cathedral.
A general view of Durham Cathedral.
Anna Gowthorpe
Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 12/11/2021

- 12:30

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:16

The university students' union is creating an online course designed for students and staff

Durham University is offering its students online lessons on how to stay safe while working in the sex industry.

Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister, slammed the move.
Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister, slammed the move.
Michelle Donelan


The course is being put together by the Durham Students’ Union amid rising rates of undergraduates taking work as escorts or producing explicit content online.

The sessions are designed to provide support and advice to staff and students.

However, Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan slammed the prestigious north east university.

“Any university that does this is badly failing in their duty to protect students.

“It is right that vital support is offered to women who are being exploited. However, this course seeks to normalise selling sex, which has no place in our universities.

“We know this is a sector that can target young women and students and trap them in the role.”

One Durham University student told The Times: 'This could cause a real problem, making it part of university culture and making work in the sex industry a normalised activity...

'It suggests that being an adult sex worker is another run-of-the-mill activity and is put down as an official DSU position.'

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