CDAs - Why were the CDAs Introduced? Flashcards
The context - What was happening around 1860 with venereal disease?
Around 1860, there was significant concern around venereal disease, especially in relation to army bases both in Britain and around the Empire
The context - What did the British army not allow?
The British army did not allow non-commissioned soldiers to be married, and gay relationships were illegal, so this meant that brothels were permitted near army bases and considered a necessary evil in Victorian society
The context - Why was the spread of venereal disease a worry?
However the spread of venereal disease among soldiers was a real worry, especially for the War Office and the Admiralty who were concerned that the efficiency of the army and the navy was being damaged – in the Crimean War the army suffered more casualties from disease than on the battlefield – as a result there was a demand for laws to address the issue
The context - What was the belief surrounding moral improvement at this time?
In context, this was the result of the belief that moral improvement could be achieved through the application of scientific principles
The context - What did supporters of the Acts point to as evidence for their usefulness?
For supporters of the Acts, the evidence was in the way that Florence Nightingale’s actions in the Crimea, the Factory Acts, Municipal Corporations Act, and the 1848 Public Health Act had all improved the quality of life for groups of people and their health and life expectancy – it seemed logical that legislation could do the same with venereal disease
The Parliamentary Committee 1862 - What happened in 1862?
In 1862, a committee was established to investigate this problems and to propose a solution – the committee members had two solutions, one liberal and one conservative
The Parliamentary Committee 1862 - What was the liberal solution?
The liberal solution involved;
- Improved hospital care for diseased men and women
- Penalties for men who his evidence of being diseased
- Better barrack sanitation
- More leisure activities to entertain military men and prevent them seeking prostitutes
The Parliamentary Committee 1862 - What was the conservative solution?
The conservative solution involved;
- Greater regulation of prostitutes
- Using the military model from British colonies like HK and India where prostitutes near military bases were registered
- Compulsory medical examinations of prostitutes by British army doctors
The Parliamentary Committee 1862 - What did the nature of Victorian taboo mean?
Due to the nature of the laws and Victorian taboos regarding sexuality, as well as concerns over the response that there would be from the public, the debates of the committee were kept quiet
The Parliamentary Committee 1862 - Which viewpoint did the Committee side with?
The committee overall sided with Sir John Liddell’s conservative viewpoint, and recommended legislation to regulate prostitutes and enforce medical examinations
What was the CDA 1864 - What did it allow police officers to do?
Allowed police officers to arrest any women suspected of being a prostitute in a few select naval ports and army towns
What was the CDA 1864 - What would the women be subjected to?
The women would be subjected to compulsory medical checks to see if they had a disease – if they did, they would be confined in a lock hospital for up to three months to be treated and prevent them spreading the disease
What was the CDA 1864 - How many garrison and seaport towns did it cover?
It covered 11 military stations – garrison and seaport towns, including the land around them for 5 miles
What was the CDA 1866 - How were the CDAs extended in 1866?
- Gov introduced compulsory examinations every three months
- Prostitutes could be identified on the evidence on a single policeman before a magistrate
- Examinations were to be performed on all suspected prostitutes within 10 miles of a protected port of garrison town
What was the CDA 1869 - How was the law extended in 1869?
In 1869 the law was extended to cover 18 districts and the distance around each post/garrison town was increased from 5 to 15 miles
