Subject
Prostitution -- Great Britain Books
Best books
Mary Higgs
Glimpses into the Abyss
"Glimpses into the Abyss" by Mary Higgs is a social research study written in the early 20th century. The book explores the harsh realities of vagrancy, poverty, and social disorder in England, drawing from firsthand investigations the author conducted over six years in various shelters and lodgings. Higgs's work aims to reveal the systemic failures in the treatment of vagrants and the underlying factors contributing to their plight, advocating for improved social legislation to address these issues. The opening portion of the work introduces the author’s extensive preface, where she outlines her research methodology and the motivations behind her explorations of vagrancy. It reveals her direct engagement with the destitute, detailing her efforts to provide shelter and assess their circumstances. Higgs describes her encounters with various cases of complete destitution, highlighting the progression of her social research from individual observations to a broader analysis of the national implications of poverty and vagrancy. She articulates her belief that understanding these social issues requires a scientific exploration of the underlying causes and an acknowledgment of the importance of reform in societal structures. This foundational context prepares readers for the following chapters that delve into specific aspects of vagrancy and proposed remedies.
Josephine Elizabeth Grey Butler
The constitutional iniquity involved in all forms of the regulation of prostitution
"The constitutional iniquity involved in all forms of the regulation of…" by Mrs. Josephine E. Butler is a reformist political-legal pamphlet written in the late 19th century, during the Victorian era. The work argues that state systems for regulating prostitution are unconstitutional, unjust, and morally corrupting, targeting especially policies like the Contagious Diseases Acts. The pamphlet opens by stressing the moral stakes, then concentrates on constitutional law. Drawing on authorities such as Sheldon Amos, Mittermayer, Montesquieu, and Lieber, it outlines the essential safeguards of fair criminal justice—no intimidation or compelled self-incrimination, presumption of innocence, clear indictment, public accusatory procedure, right to counsel, evidence-based verdicts, proportional punishment, and accusations not initiated by the Executive—and shows how regulation regimes violate each one. Butler details coercive “voluntary submission,” secret tribunals, punishment on suspicion by police, executive accusations without reasons, repeated arbitrary imprisonment, and the near impossibility of redress. She identifies forced medical examinations of women as the system’s core abuse and cites Sir Hardinge Giffard’s legal opinion that such bodily searches for evidence are contrary to English law and the fundamental protection of the person. The book warns that these measures erode liberty and justice for all, and it calls citizens to resist and abolish such laws.
Josephine Elizabeth Grey Butler
Address, delivered in Craigie Hall, Edinburgh, February 24th, 1871
"Address, delivered in Craigie Hall, Edinburgh, February 24th, 1871" by Josephine E. Butler is a powerful address that falls under the category of social commentary and advocacy, likely written during the late Victorian era. This treatise addresses the moral and constitutional challenges posed by certain penal legislations in England, particularly focusing on the Contagious Diseases Acts. It serves as a call to action for those concerned about the implications of such laws on society, especially regarding their impact on women and the working class. In her address, Butler articulates a deep concern about the threat of materialism and its corresponding impact on moral integrity and individual freedoms. She discusses the dangers of legislation that empowers the state to undermine moral principles and introduces oppressive measures against vulnerable populations, particularly women. Butler seeks to mobilize collective action, emphasizing the necessity of a spiritual revival and community engagement as means to combat these injustices. She calls for a united effort among men and women to uphold their constitution and morals, asserting that effective resistance against oppression requires both vigilance and a strong moral foundation grounded in faith. Through passionate rhetoric and personal anecdotes, Butler makes her passionate appeal for reform, urging her audience to recognize the need for a profound moral awakening to reclaim dignity and justice for all.
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