The Impact of the Contagious Diseases Acts

Created by: eloise.wroe01
Created on: 29-03-19 13:55

What could the control and cleansing of prostitutes be likened to?

like the government were dealing with pollution and sewage, as prostitutes were seen as a source of moral and physical pollution

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What kinds of treatments were prescribed to prostitutes with venereal disease?

Mercury in the form of pills, vapour baths or ointment

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Were the treatments effective?

They relieved some of the symptoms but rarely provided a cure (not until mid 20th century with development of antibiotics that cures became widely available)

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How did the ability to arrest merely on suspicion affect women's lives?

Their names would be registered after an arrest and it was difficult for a woman to get her name removed unless she left the district or got married. This would affect a woman's reputation and career

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How did people attack the hypocrisy of the sexual double standard?

By identifying officials responsible for punishing prostitutes as the same men who used them.

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What was 'instrumental ****'?

men carrying out vaginal inspections for sexual gratification, sometimes on completely innocent women.

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What was the effect of the compilation of reports on 'instrumental ****'?

they helped to challenge the view that prostitutes were pollutants of men, instead portraying them as victims of make pollution, as women who had been invaded by men's bodies, men's laws and the speculum.

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Who was Elizabeth Wolstenholme and what was her opinion of the Contagious Diseases Acts?

She was an ardent campaigner for women's rights who considered the acts to be highly discriminatory against women as the legislation contained no sanctions against men. She also campaigned for votes for women so they could secure the acts' repeal

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What kinds of treatments were prescribed to prostitutes with venereal disease?

Back

Mercury in the form of pills, vapour baths or ointment

Card 3

Front

Were the treatments effective?

Back

Card 4

Front

How did the ability to arrest merely on suspicion affect women's lives?

Back

Card 5

Front

How did people attack the hypocrisy of the sexual double standard?

Back

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The Impact of the Contagious Diseases Acts