H.E. Students involved in the Sex Industry – Levels 1 & 2
Level 1: 1 hour, Level 2: 1.5-2 hours
This course covers the rise in students engaging in the sex industry, their experiences of prejudice and discrimination in a higher education setting and how universities can respond to provide supportive, non-judgemental approach and an inclusive learning environment.
Course information
Taught by School of Criminology
Contact
Course description
Course description
- Next start date: 18 May 2022
This contemporary professional development course deals with the sensitive subject of sex work and addresses the rise in students engaging in commercial sex over the pandemic and beyond. Using research evidence and testimonies from lived experience, we promote an inclusive higher education approach to ensure ALL students are given fair and equal opportunities to progress in their studies. During 2021 our outreach programme into higher education trained 1,000 staff at 58 universities in the UK. Staff regularly explained how they had encountered students who were involved in the sex industry and were not aware of how to respond. These courses tackle head on the need for frontline staff supporting students at universities or in allied organisations to understand student sex work. The content is informed by research evidence and testimonials from students who have encountered prejudice, harassment and discrimination in a university setting. We explore ways in which students can be supported in their studies, with concerns such as safety, harm reduction, mental health support and juggling studies with working. We share good practice regarding how non-judgemental approaches to working with student sex workers can work against the everyday stigma and marginalisation of sex workers in society. Our level 2 course is a more in-depth approach to preparing staff with disclosure, working through scenarios of how to supporting individuals success at university.
Flexibility of training
We understand the importance of bespoke and flexible training due to the varying roles that universities and organisations consist of and so offer a range of training packages, times and dates to fit in with you.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
No compulsory entry requirements or previous experience needed. The training sessions are intended for those who offer frontline pastoral support for students in higher education, both direct i.e. support/academic staff/frontline service practitioners and indirect such as those who commission training/services.
English Language Requirements
There are no English language requirements although a good grasp of the English language would be beneficial.
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Level 1 and 2
University/Organisation fee: £450
- Delivery of Level 1 and Level 2 training - delivered as two separate online sessions
- A pre-course meeting with the course tutor to obtain an overview of benefits and impact of the course, explore context to the organisation, and discuss date of delivery
- A post-course review meeting regarding integration of policy/resources
Level 1
University/Organisation fee: £300
- Delivery of Level 1 training
- A pre-course meeting with the course tutor to obtain an overview of benefits and impact of the course, explore context to the organisation, and discuss date of delivery
Open course
Individual fee: £30
- Individual access to a Level 1 or Level 2 online session with a mixed audience
International Students
International fees are the same as UK fees but it's worth noting that this course is UK-focused.
Related courses
Related courses
Testimonials
Testimonials
Testimonials from university staff who have completed the training:
- “This was a great session, thanks. Very interested in the support options, will share this and look at embedding within our intranet where able”
- “Thank you for this, I found this super useful to understand from this context”
- “I loved how specific it was to higher education, and the conversation around safeguarding/police reporting with the Students' Union’s case study was extremely useful. It highlighted an area where the Uni and the Union need to get together to chat."
Course structure
Initial Introductory Meetings (1x pre-training)
Initial Introductory Meetings (1x pre-training)
Prior to the training we offer online meetings with interested parties to introduce the subject, explain the training and explore how it fits best within your institutions/organisations prior to the training.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Students involved in the Sex Industry - Level 1 Training
Students involved in the Sex Industry - Level 1 Training
Webinar style delivered on Zoom - no cap on numbers.
Level 1 gives an overview of the sex industry within the UK, how it has adapted to a more digital society and the laws that govern it; the challenges that students can face while combining their involvement with studying in higher education and how best to support them.
Session aims
To give attendees a broad understanding regarding:
- The background to the Student Sex Work Project, what it is and why needed
- The scope of the industry and its legal frameworks
- Motivations for entry for students and the challenges they can face
- Impact of COVID-19 and online technologies
- Crimes experienced and the importance of appropriate support routes
- Key support available and how to appropriately refer
- How to be a more inclusive university
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Students involved in the Sex Industry - Level 2 Disclosure
Students involved in the Sex Industry - Level 2 Disclosure
Delivered on Zoom to a suggested minimum of 10 people and maximum 25 due to interactive group discussions.
Level 2 is an interactive session and explores the challenges students can face when considering disclosing their involvement in the sex industry, the positive and negative consequences this can create and how university staff can appropriately support. Real life case studies are explored which highlight the negative experiences students have faced and how their experiences can be improved.
Session aims
- To identify what students think is the most negative aspect of being involved in the sex industry and why
- To give an understanding of what students may need to consider before disclosing their involvement and how this can impact
- To explore best practice when supporting students with disclosure ensuring they are fully aware of safety and appropriate support routes
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Post-Training Development Meetings
Post-Training Development Meetings
Following the training we offer a further meeting to discuss how we can help move your service development forward, how to best integrate the policy into your governance structures and how to bespoke our safety resources to best suit your staff and students.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Leicester was instrumental in raising awareness regarding student sex work through their innovative Students' Union campaign for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
Leicester was the first university to develop and ratify a policy regarding student sex work.
This is the first training delivered directly to universities across the UK and informed by the voices of students involved in the sex industry.
Universities who have attended this training have recognised it as a crucial stepping stone to their own support development to ensure their institutions are recognised as equal, diverse and inclusive.
Teaching and learning
The sessions will be delivered over Zoom. There will be no formal assessment but you will receive a certification of attendance upon completion of the course.
Apply now
| Course | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Students involved in the Sex Industry - bespoke packages | Duration 1-2 hours | Start Dates Various | Availability Email us about bespoke packages |
| Course Students involved in the Sex Industry, Level 1 | Duration 1 hour | Start Dates Various |
Availability
Booking will be available soon. |
| Course Students involved in the Sex Industry, Level 1 | Duration 1 hour | Start Dates Various |
Availability
Bookings will be available soon. |
| Course Students involved in the Sex Industry, Level 2 | Duration 1.5-2 hours | Start Dates Various |
Availability
Bookings will be available soon. |
