Donald Trump is responsible for “election dysfunction” according to one sex worker who is blaming a droop in trade on the president elect and Brexit.
Jasmine, 20, who charges £140 an hour to help fund her university degree, said she has seen around 300 clients since starting two years ago. But she says that has shrunk by two thirds to just one a week and she reckons the turn-off is due to the political turmoil of the past six months.
Jasmine, of Exeter, Devon, said: “There is a definitely a slump post-Trump. A lot of other workers are finding this too.
“I think it’s because in an uncertain climate people are less likely to be spending money.”
Jasmine, who is studying psychology at Exeter University, said there are less clients willing to spend money – and custom is down as a result. Earning around £20,000 from her work, she is also calling for prostitution to be decriminalised.
Selling sex is not illegal in the UK but a number of related activities such as soliciting in a public place, kerb crawling and running a brothel are all outlawed. However, Jasmine said the laws are not always strictly enforced, and they only serve to make her life more difficult and dangerous.
She said working with other escorts would dramatically improve safety and decrease the chances of violence.
