One twentieth claim to have engaged prostitute
TORONTO JUNE 15th, 2014 – In a random sampling of
public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1433 Canadians 18 years of age
and older, more than half said prostitution should be legal (54%), compared to
just one third who say it should not be (34%). One tenth have no opinion (12%).
Approval of legalized prostitution is common to Gen Y (35 to 44 - 60%), Boomers
(55 to 64 - 58%), males (66%), the wealthiest (68%), in Alberta (64%) and BC
(62%), among Liberals (63%) and New Democrats (60%), the best educated (post
grad - 59%), among non-Christians (60%) and the non-religious (59%), among
those with children (59%) but not among mothers (44%).
Two thirds agree living off the avails should be illegal
Living
off the earnings of another who is engaged in prostitution is not seen to be
acceptable, and two thirds think it should be illegal (67%). One fifth think it
should be allowed (21%) and one tenth haven't formed an opinion (12%).
One half approve Supreme Court striking down prostitution laws
One
half of Canadian voters approve of the Supreme Court's action in striking down
all of Canada's prostitution laws (51%), while just more than a quarter
disapprove (28%). As many as one fifth can't make up their minds (21%).
Approval is highest among the youngest (60%), males (62%), mid income groups
($60K to $80K - 58%) and the wealthiest (58%) in Atlantic Canada (55%) but not
in Alberta (45%), among Liberals (59%) and New Democrats (57%), but not
Conservatives (38%), among the best educated (post grad - 59%) and the
non-religious (59%).
One half disapprove of Bill C-36
When
the key provisions of Bill C-36 are explained to them (paying and advertising
for prostitution become illegal), one half disapprove (51%), while just one
third approve (34%). One seventh don't have an opinion (15%). Disapproval for
Bill C-36 mirrors approval of the Supreme Court's action in striking the
previous law down.
Most say prostitution shouldn't be in Criminal Code
Close
to one half say the Criminal Code should not deal with prostitution (46%),
while 3-in-10 think the code should apply (30%). As many as one quarter have no
opinion on this measure (24%).
1-in-20 admit to engaging prostitute
One
twentieth of Canadian adults claim to have engaged the services of a prostitute
(5%) and these are all males (10%) and primarily in the lower income group
($20K to $40K - 10%) and in BC (9%). Incidence also appears to be higher among
past Green Party voters (13%) and non-Christians (9%). In fact, in addition to
the 1-in-20 who claim to have used a prostitute, a further one tenth prefer not
to answer (10%), and a portion of these must be assumed to have engaged in this
behaviour. Therefore, based on a Canadian adult population of about 25 million,
as many as 1.5 million or more (primarily males) may have paid for sex.
“It is,
as we all know, the oldest profession, so it should be no surprise that it's
thriving in Canada. What is perhaps more surprising is that those who have
engaged in behaviour which, until now, has been illegal, are willing to admit
it,"
said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and
founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.
