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Prostitution[edit]

Further information: Victorian morality § Prostitution, and Prostitution in the United Kingdom § 19th century

Prostitution had been a factor in city life for centuries. The reformers started mobilizing in the late 1840s; major news organisations, clergymen and single women became increasingly concerned about prostitution, which came to be known as "The Great Social Evil".^{[page needed]} Estimates of the number of prostitutes in London in the 1850s vary widely, but in his landmark study, Prostitution, William Acton reported that the police estimated there were 8,600 in London alone in 1857.^{[page needed]}

My Edited Version Prostitution

During Victorian England, prostitution was seen as a Great Social Evil by clergymen and major news organizations, but many feminists viewed prostitution as a means of economic independence for women. Estimates of the number of prostitutes in London in the 1850s vary widely, but in his landmark study, Prostitution, William Acton reported an estimation of 8,600 prostitutes in London alone in 1857. The differing views on prostitution have made it difficult to understand its history. Acclaimed feminist author, Judith Walkowitz has multiple works focusing on the female point of view. Many sources blame economic disparities as leading factors in the rise of prostitution, and Walkowitz writes that the demographic within prostitution varied greatly. However, women who struggled financially were much more likely to be prostitutes than those with a secure source of income. Orphaned or half-orphaned women were more likely to turn to prostitution as a means of income. While overcrowding in urban cities and the amount of job opportunities for females were limited, Walkowitz argues that there were other variables that lead women to prostitution. Walkowitz acknowledges that prostitution allowed for women to feel a sense of independence and self-respect. Although many assume that pimps controlled and exploited these prostitutes, some women managed their own clientele and pricing. It's evident that women were exploited by this system, yet Walkowitz explains that prostitution was often their opportunity to gain social and economic independence. Prostitution at this time was regarded by women in the profession to be a short-term position, and once they earned enough money, there were hopes that they would move on to a different profession .

As previously stated, the arguments for and against prostitution varied greatly from it being perceived as a mortal sin or desperate decision to an independent choice. While there were plenty of people publicly denouncing prostitution in England, there were also others who took opposition to them. One event that sparked a lot of controversy was the implementation of the Contagious Diseases Acts. This was a series of three acts in 1864,1866, and 1869 that allowed police officers to stop women whom they believed to be prostitutes and force them to be examined. If the suspected woman was found with a venereal disease, they placed the woman into a Lock Hospital. Arguments made against the acts claimed that the regulations were unconstitutional and that they only targeted women . In 1869, a National Association in opposition of the acts was created. Because women were excluded from the first National Association, the Ladies National Association was formed. The leader of that organization was Josephine Butler. Butler was a outspoken feminist during this time who fought for many social reforms. Her book, "Personal reminiscences of a Great Crusade", describes her oppositions to the C.D. acts. Along with the publication of her book, she also went on tours condemning the C.D acts throughout the 1870's . Other supporters of reforming the acts included Quakers, Methodists, and many doctors. Due to this additional campaigning against the C.D. acts, a repeal was eventually posted 1869.This repeal included 124 signatures, one of which being Florence Nightingale, another medical and social reformer of this time. Eventually the acts were fully repealed in 1886 .

The book "Prostitution-Action" by Dr. William Acton included detailed reports on his observations of prostitutes and the hospitals they would be placed in if they were found with a venereal disease. Acton believed that prostitution was a poor institution but it is a result of the supply and demand for it. He wrote that men had sexual desires and they sought to relieve them, and for many, prostitution was the way to do it. While he referred to prostitutes as wretched women, he did note how the acts unfairly criminalized women and ignored the men involved.