Perceptions of personal safety and the criminal justice system

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Fear levels similar for all groups

Despite experiencing higher rates of violence, gays, lesbians and bisexuals did not express higher levels of fear than their heterosexual counterparts. Overall, more than 9 out of 10 gay, lesbian and bisexual Canadians indicated that they were "somewhat" or "very" satisfied with their personal safety, a proportion which was similar to heterosexuals. Moreover, regardless of sexual orientation, approximately 9 out of 10 respondents indicated that they felt either "very"or "reasonably" safe or were "not at all"worried or "somewhat" worried while engaging in certain activities after dark such as walking alone or using public transportation.

Gays, lesbians and bisexuals held a less favourable view of police performance

Overall, gays, lesbians and bisexuals express lower levels of satisfaction with police performance than their heterosexual counterparts (Table 2). For example, fewer gays, lesbians and bisexuals felt that the police were doing a good job of treating people fairly compared to heterosexuals (42% of gays/lesbians and 47% of bisexuals versus 60% of heterosexuals1).

Table 2 Respondent's perception of the criminal justice system by sexual orientation, 2004. Opens a new browser window.

Table 2
Respondent's perception of the criminal justice system by sexual orientation, 2004

When asked if the police were doing a good job at supplying information to the public on ways to reduce crime, 42% of gays and lesbians and 38% of bisexuals1 responded positively, compared to 51% of heterosexuals. Furthermore, 58% of gays and lesbians and 52% of bisexuals perceived the police as doing a good job at being approachable compared to 66% of heterosexuals.

Regardless of sexual orientation, there were no statistically significant differences in Canadians' perceptions of the criminal courts and the prison system.

With respect to assessments of the parole system, fewer gays and lesbians and heterosexuals felt the parole system was doing a good job at releasing prisoners not likely to re-offend compared to bisexuals (17% and 16% compared to 26%).

Notes

  1. The difference between gays and lesbians and bisexuals is not statistically significant.