PRESS RELEASE - Overwhelming public support – particularly among women (82%) – for Swedish approach to paying for sex in NI Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill

Today the Christian social policy charity CARE publishes new polling data demonstrating extensive public support for criminalising the purchase of sexual services in Northern Ireland.

The Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill, which has its Consideration Stage debate at Stormont on Monday (20 October), proposes criminalising the purchase of sexual services alongside a variety of other measures to assist victims of human trafficking and exploitation in Northern Ireland.

The poll, conducted by the polling company Ipsos MORI, found that 78% of those questioned believe that Northern Ireland should criminalise the purchase of sexual services; 62% strongly believe that this should be criminalised. Only 13% of those questioned do not believe that this should be criminalised, while 9% do not know.

When examining the findings in more detail, the survey shows that 82% of women and 74% of men believe in criminalising the purchase of sexual services, with only 16% of men and 11% of women opposing it.

The belief that paying for sex should be criminalised is strong across all age groups. 82% of 16-34s, 79% of 35-54s, and 73% of those aged over 55 stated that they believe that the purchase of sexual services should be criminalised. Small proportions within each age group do not believe that it should be criminalised.

It was also found that there was strong backing for the proposal among both Protestants and Catholics surveyed. 83% of Catholics surveyed believe that the purchase of sexual services should be criminalised, while 77% of Protestants feel the same way. Just 12% of Protestants and 10% of Catholics do not feel this activity should be criminalised.

Commenting on the poll findings, a CARE spokesperson said:

“This opinion poll illustrates what we have known for a long time: the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland are in favour of criminalising the purchase of sexual services. The approach outlined in clause 6 of Lord Morrow’s Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill has proven to be effective in countries such as Norway and Sweden where it has been utilised. This poll illustrates that the public also believe that this is the right approach to take in this country. We would urge all members of the Assembly to support clause 6 of Lord Morrow’s Bill when it comes before the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday.”

The opinion poll also asked a question about the introduction of a two year minimum sentence in Northern Ireland for those convicted of a human trafficking or slavery offence. The question noted the fact that a judge can derogate from the minimum sentence in exceptional circumstances. The poll found that 65% of those questioned believe it would be appropriate to introduce a two year minimum sentence for these offences; 54% strongly believe in the implementation of this proposal. 28% of those who responded do not believe that this proposal would be appropriate, while 6% do not know.

Notes

METHODOLOGY NOTE: Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,016 adults in Northern Ireland during August 2014, as part of their regular Omnibus survey. The sample interviewed is representative of the population of Northern Ireland aged 16 and over. Ipsos MORI is a member of the Market Research Society and abides by its Code of Conduct.

The two questions posed in the poll were as follows:

Q1: A proposal has been put forward at the Northern Ireland Assembly to introduce a required minimum sentence of two years for those people convicted of human trafficking or slavery offences within the country. The proposal allows for judges to set a lower sentence in very exceptional circumstances. Do you believe that it is appropriate for such a minimum sentence to be introduced?

Q2: A proposal has been put forward at the Northern Ireland Assembly to criminalise the purchase of sexual services in order to tackle demand for paid sex. The National Referral Mechanism has shown this to be the single biggest driver of human trafficking to Northern Ireland since 2009. Do you believe that Northern Ireland should criminalise the purchase of sexual services?

Sweden made criminalising purchasing sexual service a criminal offence in 1999 and the law was so successful that neighbouring Norway went on the follow suit in 2009. Reviews of the laws in both countries conducted in 2010 (Sweden) and 2014 (Norway) demonstrate that the change in legislation has been a real success. The Canadian Government taking similar legislation through its Parliament which is expected to become law by Christmas.