NCJ Number
111688
Journal
Canadian Journal of Special Education Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1986) Pages: 145-170
Date Published
1986
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article reviews information available on juvenile prostitution in Canada, current legal and social issues, and recommendations for altering the existing social and legal framework affecting young prostitutes.
Abstract
Research on juvenile prostitution in Canada is very recent. However, the Bagdley and Fraser committee's reports and public hearings resulted in the compilation of some facts, figures, speculations and opinions. Some findings of these committees were (1) juvenile prostitution is prevalent in middle-sized towns and large cities, (2) 75.9 percent of juvenile prostitutes were runaways, (3) 42.3 percent had not gone beyond junior high school, (4) 48.9 percent came from broken families, and (5) more than 66 percent reported physical assaults on their persons. Factors that induced juvenile prostitution were (1) molestation and incest prior to first intercourse, (2) age at first intercourse, (3) society's reaction to first intercourse, (4) subsequent relationships with one's first partner in sex, and (5) forced or coerced first intercourse. Regarding legal solutions, the Bagdley committee recommended juvenile prostitution be made a criminal offense, while the Fraser committee recommended against this approach but emphasized protection from pimps and prostitution establishments. Proposed social solutions included initiating programs to motivate youth to develop acceptable behavior patterns, providing economic independence and equal opportunity for women, and increasing public awareness of problems of juvenile prostitution. Existing intervention programs in Vancouver include the Senator Hotel project, a rehabilitation center for prostitutes; the Gordon Neighborhood House, a drop-in center; and the DARE program, a probation supervisory program. 2 tables and 27 references. (Author abstract modified)