Ladies National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts founded (1869)

The Ladies National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts was established in 1869 by Elizabeth Wolstenholme and Josephine Butler. The organization formed to challenge legislation that mandated forced medical examinations for alleged prostitutes, aiming to control venereal disease in the military. This founding marked the beginning of a significant campaign against state regulation of prostitution.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Contagious Diseases Acts, introduced in 1864, 1866, and 1869, aimed to regulate prostitution to control venereal diseases in the British Army and Royal Navy. These laws allowed for the forced medical examination of women suspected of prostitution. Josephine Butler described this process as 'surgical or steel rape,' motivating her involvement in the campaign to repeal these acts.

Founding of the Association. In 1869, Elizabeth Wolstenholme and Josephine Butler established the Ladies National Association. Wolstenholme met Butler in Bristol in September 1869 to discuss actions against the Acts. On 31 December 1869, the association published a statement in The Daily News declaring its formation for the purpose of obtaining the repeal of the 'obnoxious Acts.'

Legal Context. The Contagious Diseases Prevention Act 1864 was replaced by Acts of 1866 and 1869, which expanded police powers and covered additional districts. The Ladies National Association defended prostitutes as victims of social injustice rather than criminals, arguing that the Acts were discriminatory on grounds of both sex and class.

People involved

Sources

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