A warning from Josephine Butler to the New Abolitionists. Image: Northumberland Archives: Photograph of a painting of Josephine Grey, no date, ref: NRO 06655/1/70 On 3rd February 2026, the MSP Ash Regan’s ‘unbuyable’ bill was defeated in the Scottish parliament by 64 votes to 54. The proposed legislation would make the purchase of sexual services a criminal offence in Scotland, while decriminalising the sale - the so-called ‘Nordic Model’. The Scottish government’s refusal t
Image: Helen Cottle, 1962 ~ Red umbrellaPer più informazioni / For more information: https://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com/2013/02/Helen-Cottle.html On Wednesday 17th December 2025, JBS had the pleasure of hosting a fantastic event to mark International Eliminate of Violence Against Sex Workers Day. For the most important event in the sex workers rights movements' calendar, we were able to bring together sex workers and allies, social care practitioners, old frie
The Josephine Butler Society will be celebrating International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers this year at St Anne's Church in Soho, with our annual lecture. Our Chair Del Beach-Campbell will host the event, at which we will have guest speakers (the details of which will be announced in due course), a panel discussion and a Q & A. Refreshments will also be provided. The event is not ticketed, and anyone is welcome to attend. In such febrile times we at JBS, in the sp
Ed Cotton
1 min read
“Economics lie at the very root of practical morality.”