The Contagious Diseases Acts: how Victorian law policed women's bodies
In short
The Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866 and 1869 allowed police in certain garrison and naval towns to subject women suspected of prostitution to medical examination and detention, in an effort to curb venereal disease among soldiers and sailors. Campaigners led by Josephine Butler attacked them as unjust to women. They were repealed in 1886.
What the full article will cover
- Why did Parliament pass the Contagious Diseases Acts?
- How did the Acts work in practice?
- Who campaigned against them?
- What arguments did the repeal movement use?
- How were the Acts repealed in 1886?
- What is their legacy?
Frequently asked questions
- Which towns were covered by the Acts?
- Were men examined under the Acts?
- What was a lock hospital?
- Did the Acts apply in Scotland or Ireland?
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/49-50/10/contents
- wellcomecollection.org — https://wellcomecollection.org/works/x6dd692a
- en.wikipedia.org — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contagious_Diseases_Acts
General information, not legal or religious advice.