The Work and Pensions Committee is calling for evidence - from anyone affected or with experience of this issue - about a possible link between Universal Credit and “survival sex”.
We’d like to hear from you if you’ve had to exchange sex for basic living essentials, like food or somewhere to live. This will help us to understand what is happening and to make the right recommendations to the Government.
We understand that telling your story might be difficult. You can ask for your evidence to be anonymous (we’ll publish your story, but not your name or any personal details about you) or confidential (we’ll read your story but we won’t publish it).
The Committee is inviting anyone with experience of or affected by this issue, in any capacity, to send us a written submissions on any or all of the following questions:
- What features of Universal Credit might drive people into “survival sex”? How does Universal Credit compare to the previous benefits system in this respect?
- How widespread is this problem? To what extent are any increases in prevalence directly attributable to Universal Credit?
- Are some claimants at particular risk of turning to “survival sex”? If so, who are they and what are the risk factors?
- What changes to Universal Credit could help tackle this problem and better protect claimants?
- What role should Jobcentre Plus play in supporting claimants who are involved in “survival sex” or sex work more widely?
You can share your story or evidence - we’d like to hear from you by Monday 29 April 2019.
You can read the full statement here www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/news-parliament-2017/universal-credit-survival-sex-launch-17-19/