A former adult star has been handed £1.4m after suing her college for harassing her over porn films.
Nicole Gililland was awarded the compensation after accusing her local college of using her X-rated movies to discriminate against her.
Nicole, who goes by the name Niki, was 30 when she enrolled in a nursing program at her Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) in 2017.
She had already been working as an EMT and paramedic for several years but as a mum she believed that the nursing hours would be more convenient.
And despite completing the entry requirements and being accepted as one of only 28 on the two-year course, former porn star Niki claimed that she faced repeated harassment and the “hostile education environment”.
It became so bad that Niki revealed she suffered severe emotional distress and even attempted suicide, the Daily Star reports.
She then attempted to sue SWOCC for both breach of contract and for violating Title IX, which prohibits schools that receive federal funding from sex-based discrimination.
According to court documents, a nursing instructor and academic advisor at SWOCC began to discriminate against her and allegedly said: “Nursing is a profession for classy women. Unclassy women have no place in it.”
The mum-of-two revealed on social media that "hundreds" of attorneys "slammed their doors" in her face, rejecting her discrimination case. However, one Salt Lake City lawyer, Brandon Mark took on her case.
Niki, who worked under the porn star name Bree Barrett, confirmed that a jury ruled in her favour and awarded her around £1.4m.
Posting to her Twitter followers, Niki announced: “A couple of years ago an attorney took my discrimination case after HUNDREDS of other attorneys slammed their doors in my face.
"Today, a jury awarded us over 1.7 million dollars. Brandon, thank you for believing in me and for believing in progress.”
Mr Mark responded stating: “You're the superstar. I played but a bit role. Thank you for letting me help you tell your story.”
According to RollingStone, court documents revealed that her professors did conduct sex-based discrimination by “advancing a stereotype about the kind of woman appropriate for the nursing profession.”
While the jury ultimately rejected the Title IX claim, they deemed SWOCC had indeed breached a contract with a tuition-paying student by violating its non-discrimination policy, education records policy, and its policy on unlawful harassment.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
