North-east students have signed-up to a “sugar daddy” dating website – to try to avoid being plunged into debt.
Niche matchmaking service Seeking Arrangement has confirmed nearly 30 of its registered members are at Aberdeen University.
The internet-based agency claims people using its service can set out the gains they want from any relationship – such as a particular handbag or money.
Online profiles of north-east members – 27 of whom claim to be Aberdeen University students – indicated they wanted funds to help with expenses such as the cost of living, holidays, and even plastic surgery.
Last night, one MSP said it was “troubling” that young women were being invited to date men in “exchange for financial gain”, and a leading charity warned the so-called “sugar babies” they could be putting themselves at risk.
Angela Jacob Bermudo, public relations manager at Seeking Arrangement said the site was a “place where people form relationships on their own terms”.
Ms Bermudo added: “People commonly mistake Seeking Arrangement as an escort service because it’s not a traditional dating website.
“The ‘arrangements’ are predetermined relationships where people are up front and honest about the type of relationship they want.”
When users register as a sugar baby they are asked to select their “expectation” – which ranges from a “negotiable” sum of any amount to a minimum of £6,000 per month.
Ms Bermudo said: “The dates are not paid but there is an optional monthly allowance that the sugar daddy and sugar baby agree on.
“The sugar daddy will sometimes bring a gift to show appreciation, sometimes it’s a cash gift, sometimes it’s jewellery.
“Students often need help with buying books, the cost of living and tuition fees rather than getting a designer bag or going on a lavish trip.”
Personal safety group the Suzy Lamplugh Trust advised users to be cautious of forming “arrangements” with people they meet online.
Rachel Griffin, director of the charity, said: “Websites that encourage young women to discuss ‘terms’ such as financial benefits up front should consider how empowered those women might feel to speak up if they do feel uncomfortable on a date, as well as the risk of increased violence and aggression on the part of the so-called ‘sugar daddies’ if they feel the terms they have agreed to are not being met.”
The dating agency insisted, however, said that an “arrangement” could be ended at any time.
Ms Bermudo said: “If one person is no longer holding up their end of the arrangement, the relationship can simply be ended.
“If anyone is looking for a pay-for-play type of relationship we don’t want them on our site, and we filter out these people through member screening where our users can report misuse.”
North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said: “While it is up to individuals whether they engage in this website or not, many people will find it troubling that young women are being asked to ‘date’ men in return for what amounts to financial award.
“It is perhaps a sad reflection on the levels of student hardship in Scotland that some students have registered with this site.
“I think it is appropriate that university and college authorities urge students to exercise caution regarding websites like this and if any student is in hardship then their first step should always be to contact their students association.”
The president of Aberdeen University Student Union and the NUS declined to comment.
Case Study: “Sexy students seek wealthy benefactor”
The Seeking Arrangement member profile for two 20-year-old north-east women describes them as “sexy students seeking wealthy benefactor”.
It adds that they are “looking for someone who is prepared to give us a monthly allowance to cover our basic needs and a few wants, to show us a good time and new places.
“Taking us both on trips is mutually beneficial as you get to have a great time when you aren’t doing business and we can entertain each other and explore when you have to work – maybe even give you a fashion show from the day’s excursions.
“We are searching for a generous partner to help us achieve the lifestyle we want and help them to achieve theirs by the addition of ourselves with gifts and treats along the way.”
The women registered on the site did not wish to share their experience when approached by Seeking Arrangement on behalf of the Press and Journal.