CDAs Flashcards
(47 cards)
Why were there so many prostitutes in 1860?
Due to poverty, lack of employment for women, and the large number of single men, especially in the military.
What were the Victorian attitudes towards prostitution?
Mixed: moral condemnation, but also recognition of it as a ‘necessary evil’ to satisfy male desires.
How many prostitutes were there in Victorian England?
Estimates vary, but approximately 80,000–120,000 in London alone during the 19th century.
What was the Matrimonial cause’s act of 1857 and why was it a double standard?
It allowed men to divorce wives for adultery, but women had to prove additional faults—highlighting gender inequality.
Why was prostitution seen as necessary?
It was seen as a means to protect men’s health and manage female sexuality in the absence of contraception.
What was the sexual double standard of the Victorian time?
Men were allowed sexual freedom; women were expected to be chaste and pure, creating a double standard.
Who was John William Acton?
A Victorian doctor who argued for regulation of prostitution for the health of soldiers and sailors.
When was the Crimean war?
1853 to 1856.
What was the health of the Army and Navy in 1860?
Poor; many soldiers and sailors suffered from venereal diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea.
How did the Crimean war escalate concerns over sexual health?
It revealed how VD weakened troops, sparking concern for the need to control prostitution.
What was the role of Florence Nightingale in the Crimean war?
She improved sanitary conditions, lowering death rates, and highlighted the role of hygiene in health.
What were the main STDs in 1860?
Gonorrhoea and syphilis were most common.
Describe Gonorrhoea
A bacterial STD causing painful urination, discharge, and can lead to infertility if untreated.
Describe syphilis
A bacterial STD causing sores, rash, and severe complications if untreated (including organ failure).
What were lock hospitals?
Hospitals specifically for treating venereal diseases, especially among women.
What was the 1862 committee of inquiry?
A government inquiry into the spread of VD and the health of the military.
Why was the 1862 committee of inquiry set up?
To investigate the link between prostitution and the poor health of the armed forces.
When were the 3 CDAs?
1864, 1866, and 1869.
What was the CDA of 1864?
Allowed police to arrest suspected prostitutes in garrison towns and subject them to compulsory checks.
What was the CDA of 1866?
Expanded the powers to more towns and required regular examinations.
What was the CDA of 1869?
Made examinations compulsory and extended the number of towns under the law.
What was the impact of the CDAs on prostitutes?
Subjected them to invasive medical exams and social stigma without improving their health or rights.
What was the impact of the CDAs on ordinary women?
Many innocent women were mistaken as prostitutes, subjecting them to trauma and public shame.
What was the 1871 commission?
A follow-up inquiry in 1871 to assess the effectiveness and ethics of the CDAs.
