COSTI

The Cost of Stigma. Tackling and Responding to Discrimination Against Students in the Sex Industry within Spanish and Italian Universities

The COSTI project aims to promote equitable responses to the needs of student sex workers in Spanish and Italian universities, and to raise awareness of student sex work within educational institutions and society.

You can explore what the project is about, update with our activities or consult the related publications.

You can collaborate anonymously by participating as a student, as a student who engages in sex work, or as a member of the university staff.

The project is carried out at Rovira i Virgili University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and its research team includes Livia Motterle (Principal Investigator), Jordi Roca and Marta Lamas.

COLLABORATE

Are you studying at a Spanish or Italian university?

If you are currently studying at a Spanish or Italian university and are over 18 years old, we invite you to participate by completing the first part of this brief and anonymous questionnaire (no one will be able to identify who completed it). It aims to explore students’ perceptions of sex work within the university context.

The questionnaire will be available until July 31, 2026.

Questionnaire for University Students

Your contribution will be of great value to the project. Thank you for participating and helping us expand knowledge about student sex work and promote an informed and respectful discussion.

Are you studying at a Spanish or Italian university and are engaged in sex work?

If you are currently studying at a Spanish or Italian university, or have recently studied at one, are 18 or older, and are currently or have previously been engaged in sex work, we invite you to complete both parts of this brief and anonymous questionnaire (no one will be able to identify who completed it). The aim is to explore the perceptions and experiences of the student community regarding sex work in the university context, including the motivations and needs of those engaged in it.

The questionnaire will be available until July 31, 2026.

Questionnaire for University Students

Your contribution will be of great value to the project. Thank you for contributing to the creation of more inclusive and non-discriminatory university environments for people engaged in sex work.

We also invite you to share this questionnaire with other student sex workers. We want you to feel part of a network of student sex workers who share experiences, support each other, and make their voices heard in society.

Finally, if you would like to share your story anonymously through a confidential conversation (interview), you can contact us at contact@costiproject.net

Do you work as a faculty member or as part of the academic staff at a Spanish or Italian university?

If you are currently working at a Spanish or Italian university, we invite you to participate by completing this brief and anonymous questionnaire, which aims to collect information on academic staff’s perceptions and attitudes towards student sex work.

The questionnaire will be available until July 31, 2026.

Questionnaire for Academic Staff

Your contribution will be of great value to the project. Thank you for participating and helping us expand knowledge about student sex work and promote an informed and respectful discussion.

What is sex work?

Sex work refers to the exchange of sexual services, performances, or sexual content for material compensation. It is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of activities, ranging from forms involving direct contact with clients (street-based sex work; escorting; selling sexual services in hotels, massage parlours or saunas; selling sexual services at home; etc.) to others carried out without physical contact (selling sexual services on virtual erotic platforms; erotic dancing; etc.).

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