With the promise of connections and financial aid, many students are turning to sugar dating sites to help fund their university experience. At the University of Bristol, students are currently signed up to the sugar dating site SeekingArrangement. Scott, Investigations Editor. This ranks the institution as the 8th highest, joint with the University of the Arts London. The sugar dating site gives a free premium membership to all students who sign up with a university email address.
This is double the figure, showing that the trend of students turning to potentially more risky ways to make money is increasing. The company has suggested that a 6. Despite there being a lack of research into the specific risks of being a sugar baby, it is clear that those who choose to exchange sex or intimacy for gifts are potentially vulnerable.
This vulnerability extends outside of physical harm, with students telling Epigram of the impact that sugar dating has had on their mental health. Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder were commonly experienced by those who had participated previously in some form of adult work.
Epigram also found that body dysmorphia and self-worth related mental health issues were incredibly prevalent among student Sugar Babies. There is a reason the men have chosen SeekingArrangement over eHarmony.
Given the nature of the industry, students may not feel comfortable seeking support from the University. There are specialist external agencies that students can access confidentially, if they would prefer. However, Bristol University students have told us that they have been hesitant in accessing University support as they are scared of the potential consequences of admitting to partaking in sex work. A student who was already receiving mental health support from the University added that they never mentioned their sugar dating even in confidential meetings.
