78% of French people support the abolitionist model

An Ipsos poll for CAP International reveals that the vast majority of French people consider prostitution to be a form of violence and approve of the 2016 law that punishes clients while protecting prostitutes. 

A widely approved law

According to the Ipsos survey conducted in January 2019, 78% of French people view the 2016 law positively. 
This law, which prohibits the purchase of sexual acts and offers social support to people wishing to leave prostitution, enjoys particularly strong support among women (85%).

In addition, 71% of French people oppose its repeal, despite the demands of certain groups. Younger people are even more mobilised: 82% of 18-24 year olds refuse to question the law.

Prostitution is a form of violence

The survey results show a clear rejection of prostitution as a system: 

• 74% consider prostitution to be a form of violence,
• 71% believe that it should not be possible to buy access to another person's body,
• 63% consider prostitution to be incompatible with human dignity.

Furthermore, nearly 3 out of 4 French people believe that only a minority of prostitutes have freely chosen this activity.

An urgent need for action 

For 85% of French people, it is important, even urgent, to combat prostitution. The priorities identified are clear:  

• Strengthen the fight against criminal networks (62%), 
• Support assistance for prostitutes who wish to stop (17%), 
• Raise awareness among young people about the reality of prostitution (17%).

For an equal society 

Finally, 77% of French people consider that buying sexual services amounts to taking advantage of the distress of prostitutes. This rejection of the commodification of the body confirms French society's commitment to an abolitionist model, which guarantees equality between women and men. 

👉 This Ipsos poll shows that French people reject the idea that ‘prostitution is a job like any other’ (only 27% share this opinion) and confirm their support for the 2016 law, the cornerstone of the fight against the prostitution system.

The full IPSOS is available.

• France