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Show i m: FEATURE 7 those arc both coercive elements. Like I said, very few women do this by choice because want they to do it Both Kim and Perry said they arc concerned about the shift of sex work solicitation from street walking, where sex workers solicit customers on street comers, to online platforms. One thing the internet has done is it has expanded the commercial sex worker industry," Kim said. According to SeckingArrangment.com website designed to connect sugar babies to a po- tential sugar daddies 44 percent of its users are female college students. Christian Diaz, a junior biology major at Westminster, said he became a sugar baby when, like Kaylee and thousands of other college pre-m- ed students, he couldnt pay increasing tuition costs and other expenses. Personally, I would have never been a sug- as children," Kim said. It becomes a lot easier for these people to be enticed into commercial sex work." Kim said he stresses that susceptibility to trafficking is a matter ofpast trauma and not sexuality In his research with Westminster College alumna Amanda Howa, Kim said sex workers simply need to create a profile with their information and then customers can look for exactly what they want: hair color; eye color, height and weight ar baby had I come from a higher social class in which college is an expectation rather than a privilege, Diaz said. I value my education and thus I less susceptible to trafficking because they are afraid of expressing their masculinity in a sexual-ize- d was put into a position where I was searching for a way out of my financial burden. Though Kim said he is concerned about the Diaz said he never sought a sugar arrangement but was approached with the idea of one during his first year of college at a Halloween party. Women have been oversexualized, so its easier for them to think of themselves that way, "Diaz said. Previously they were demeaned to that way. Its just being useful. Whereas men, thats not por- new online industry for sex work, he said he thinks it may have made things safer Many sites offer a rating system for both the sex worker and the John (the customer) and online platforms remove pimps or madams from the equations, according to Kim. Kim said he equates the online sex industry to Airbnb for sex workers, with individuals acting as free agents to find work. Research indicates that sex workers often have of sexual and psychological abuse, struggling with housing, job security and substance abuse furthering the cycle of violence, according a history to Perry. For Kaylee, the abuse wasnt direct,but she said growing up alongside her sisters severe schizophrenic disorder left its mark. Once Kaylee got older, she was given a prescription for an emergency anxiety medication called clonazepam, which she said she has attempted suicide with on multiple occasions. Perry said this cycle of violence could increase At die party, Diaz said he was approached by an older man he described as beautiful and foreign. The man introduced himself as Tom, which is the only name Diaz knew him by, and asked if he knew what an arrangement was. Diaz said he initially told Tom he wasnt interested in sugar dating but eventually accepted the arrangement because ofthe increasing need to make ends meet The only reason I ever decided to actually go through with sugar dating was because I need- ed money, specifically to pay for college here at Westminster, Diaz said. Coming from a low ic class, I am used to having to fight socio-econom- my way out of poverty by whatever means necessary. Tom was the easiest and best way out For many college students, sugar dating isnt the first option, but its often seen as morally acceptable and can become a viable option. Diaz said this is because sugar babies receive gifts and drug use and mental instability, which causes more damage to personal relationships and makes it money in exchange for time spent with the sugar daddy. Sex isnt required, however, its often expected malting it a fine line. harder for sex workers to leave the industry. Kaylee said she doesnt fed like any of her re- Just because you are a sugar baby does not necessarily mean that you have sex with an older lationships with family and friends have changed, and many of them know she was a sex worker. gentleman or woman, Diaz said. In my personal experience, daddies think that its demoralizing However, she said some of her relationships with male friends have become more platonic and she to objectify their sugar baby, even though the en- in the friend zone doesnt mind. is now a change she said she Since becoming a sex worker, Kaylee said she hasnt had many relationships outside of work Despite gaining sexual confidence in her work relationships, she said she still lacks it in her personal relationships. However, Kaylee said she is sometimes concerned about what future partners may think of transaction. Though Diaz said sex is expected but not required, Kim said it is still trafficking regardless of how direct or indirect the sex work is. The fact that this is being done and the fact that these sites get away with calling themselves calling them dating seeking arrangements is disgusting to me, Kim said. Like Kim, Perry said these sites are exploitative sites her past Being a sex worker makes me fed like Im more interesting as a person, Kaylee said. But it me fed like I am no longer adequate for some future relationships that I may want to also makes be in. Regardless of her tire experience is somewhat objectifying. If they wanted to do that they could just find a prostitute. Being a sugar baby implies a relationship, not a fears; Kaylee said she wont keep her history a secret Tm not going to have a partner that doesnt know that I was a sex worker, Kaylee said. Kaylee said her work confidence comes from being an actress, but the illusion falls once she has stops acting. She also said the relationships she when she isnt acting are more meaningful. I like sex thats about feelings and consent worthy, Kaylee said. Kaylee isnt the only student who has resorted to survival sex; across the nation, a popular fringe sex work trade called sugar dating has also popped up. Although the reverse is also common, sugar dating usually involves an older man dating a and money in younger woman who receives gifts exchange for her time. and present a new set of issues. The exploitation is not visible, which also means that when the victim does come forward and does seek out help, that exploitation and that abuse isnt visible, Perry said. Its going to be much harder for them to seek out services. According to Perry and Kim, demographics show that primarily young women and LGBTQ youth are trafficked into sex work If someone is looking for a victim, they arent going to be looking for the most privileged person in the group. They are going to be looking for someone who is the most susceptible to victimization and exploitation, Perry said. Generally the 11.34 AM 150 You said 100 right? 100 for normal with Although Diaz said he doesnt regret his decision to become a sugar baby, he said there is still a Im doing it pretty shallow some people enjoy the company of an older man and also dont mind getting money, gifts or living that are lifestyle. Diaz said his financial situation is stable and he isnt currently in a sugar relationship, though he said he has been contacted multiple times on Grindr, a dating app for gay and bisexual men. I do not condone this type of relationship to my peers because it can be very dangerous. Thu dont know who they really are and you never will," Diaz said. Kaylee has also left the industry and school, taking a medical leave from Westminster. She said both the Financial Aid Office and Counseling Center, know about her history and the school wouldnt give her a refund, despite her appeal. The Counseling Center and Financial Aid Office were unable to comment on Kaylees case in adherence to federal and state laws. However, they were informed of Kaylees comments. Oct 14 11 Enter mecseiga She said she wont return to Westminster because of the issues with her tuition refund but said S?nc Kaylee, a former Westminster College student and sex worker, texts a new client to set up a session. couldn't tell you 1 wbat the first guy looked like," Kaylee said. If saw him in the street right in front of my face wouldn't know, or like the next 10 guys. That week, it was like four days of four guys each day. I I I get a discount cuz Tm cute? Also have alcohol and bud! Do I Oct 21 10 24 PM No. Get How much n PM 21 10 21 10 32 PM for me and my roommate Oct 21 13 32 PM 400 Oct Olt double penetration? Oct 21 10-3- PM anal will be an extra 100. So both with anal is 500 No Oct 21 10 33 PM So expensive! Thanks anywoy I Oct 21 What kind she would love to come back. Lake Diaz, Kaylee said she wouldnt yes. J6 AM KAYLEE I was really hoping Westminster College would save me, so I could stop being a prostitute, Kaylee said, beginning to choke up. But they didnt, so Im" still kind of one, she added with a sigh. However, during late December, Kaylee scud she left the sex industry and now has a stable job. 11 37 AM For weeks after leaving school, Kaylee said she continued sex work to make ends meet of party 10 IS PM favors do you like? Crt 21 HOI PM want to see her friends enter the sex industry, even were in a situation similar to hers. if they Its kind of like doing a drug for the first time because you get a lot out of it moneywise I trailing of I dont know, because I had a lot of family members who said I would a condom Then for 150? stigma surrounding the practice. I wonder what people are going to think of me when they read this article," Diaz said, shrug- reasons 11' IS AM Oct 14 11. ISAM Oct 14 t Hey whats up! Oct 22 AM i ' You up? would pay you not to do of your that Probably take ad- trade again for them. I would do it for her because Ive already done it and if they could avoid doing it for the vantage family first time... Kaylee said, trailing off Because you know, well fuck it. Literally fock it i I Oct 22 4 04 AM say... Kaylee said, have housing and they dont have food. Like Perry, Kim said he thinks the key to ficking is victimization prior trauma. T Oct 1 trayed in society. ging his shoulders. But at the same time, I dont really care because Im the one who is benefiting in the long run. Overall, there is a negative stigma because people assume its prostitution. The tUt AM How much Oct 14 victims that we see have experienced that prior trauma, they are in an unsafe situation, they dont Look at people who are trafficked. Its usually people who are emotionally and physically abused Oct 14 way while women are oversexualized. or friends who would do that, I still feel like they wouldnt. I feel like its a lot of threats. They said it was call, a ay for help. So I will deal with it on my own. Kaylee said instead she would enter the sex traf- I can meet you at mestizo coffoehiuso at 12. Yeu give me the money before we start ond we discuss the kind of stuff you want to do. or gender identity. Diaz said he has no prior trauma and became a sugar baby because the opportunity presented itself at the right time. Diaz and Kim also said heterosexual men are i ii KAYLEE Kaylee texts one of her regular clients for a session. Kaylee said sex work interested her because she felt like none of her relationships were consensual and sex work is, but sbe felt she had no choice but to enter sex work after a series of events left her thousands of dollars in debt. |