Guest W***ledi*Time Report post Posted November 28, 2009 Angus Reid has published the results of their poll on Prostitution in Canada (this was the poll commissioned by MacLean's). This poll was conducted 8-9 Oct 2009 (1006 Canadian Adults participated). Key Findings: -- Only 23% know that it is legal to exchange sex for money in Canada -- 60% support allowing prostitutes to work indoors or in brothels -- 50% would decriminalize some of the actions surrounding prostitution that are currently illegal and allow adults to engage in consensual prostitution Detailed results by region and gender can be viewed at: http://www.visioncritical.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2009.11.27_Prostitution.pdf The questions were: Prostitution ... From what you have seen, read, or heard, is it legal or illegal to exchange sex for money in Canada? 23% Legal 69% Illegal 8% Not Sure Prostitution .... Exchanging sex for money is currently legal in Canada. However, the Criminal Code makes many activities surrounding prostitution illegal. The Ontario Superior Court is currently reviewing a legal challenge to the provisions in the Criminal Code that prohibit public communication for the purposes of prostitution, and make it illegal to own, run, occupy or transport anyone to a bawdy house (or brothel). From what you have seen, read, or heard, which of these statements comes closest to your own point of view? 41% These provisions are fair to the purpose of protecting the public good 41% These provisions are unfair and force prostitutes into unsafe situations 17% Not sure Prostitution .... in some countries, existing regulations make it a criminal offence to buy services from prostitutes, and contemplate both fines and sentences to "clients" of prostitutes. Thinking about this, which of these options do you think would be best for Canada when it comes to prostitution? 0% Only punish the prostitutes 8% Only punish the clients 34% Punishing both prostitutes and clients 48% Nobody should be punished - adults should be allowed to engage in consensual prostitution 9% Not sure Prostitution .... Some people support allowing prostitutes to work indoors or in brothels because they believe this will make them safer, and stop them from working on the streets. Other people oppose allowing prostitutes to work indoors or in brothels because they believe it woule lead to a legitimization of prostitution, which could turn Canada into a safe haven for sex tourism. Thinking about the views of both sides, do you support or oppose allowing prostitutes to work indoors or in brothels? 20% Strongly support 40% Moderately support 11% Moderately oppose 19% Strongly oppose 10% Not sure Prostitution .... Generally speaking, which of these policy options would you personally prefer to deal with the issue of prostitution in Canada? 25% Prohibit prostitution entirely, and making in illegal to exchange sex for money 16% Keeping the status quo, which criminalizes some of the activities surrounding prostitution 50% Decriminalizing some of the actions surrounding prostitution that are currently illegal and allowing adults to engage in consensual prostitution 8% Not sure Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest s******ecan**** Report post Posted November 28, 2009 Interesting results. I'm not surprised most don't know the legal aspects. I am surprised there is so much support for further decriminalization. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drlove 37204 Report post Posted November 28, 2009 Interesting results... I am surprised there is so much support for further decriminalization. I wonder if the presiding judge will take that into consideration when deciding on a ruling... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest W***ledi*Time Report post Posted November 28, 2009 I wonder if the presiding judge will take that into consideration when deciding on a ruling... Public opinion doesn't have any relevance to the legal issue in the court application. The intervenors presented a 2006 Leger Poll in court which showed 68% of Canadians believed prostitution was immoral. The judge stated that she would ignore the poll: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Brothel+protects+women+Ontario+lawyer+tells+hearing/2124632/story.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
