About The Josephine Butler Society
With a history spanning over 150 years, the society originated from the merger of two associations that were founded in the 1800s.
The Josephine Butler Society (JBS) is an unincorporated association of members. It derives from two associations founded in the 19th century to campaign for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts. JBS now acts as a pressure group to campaign and advocate for the safety of sex workers. It stands for Social Justice and Equality of all citizens before the law. It is not a rescue organisation. The JBS Constitution is available to read in this PDF. ​​​
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Its present work takes two main forms
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To make representations to various government departments on sex work and related issues. In order to achieve our aim of Equality of all before the law, JBS raises awareness of the damaging consequences of current and proposed legislation.
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To liaise and network with statutory and voluntary agencies. JBS arranges seminars on related matters to a variety of audiences.
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​JBS is managed by a committee of volunteers with a variety of backgrounds: those who work with and support sex workers, those with lived experience and their allies. The committee meets in London on a regular basis.
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JBS works with other organisations who campaign for improved safety, legal protection and rights for sex workers. For example, whilst it is currently legal to engage in sex work, two or more sex workers may not work together even though this would lower the risk of physical harm. JBS therefore campaigns to allow groups of sex workers to operate together. We also support the right of sex workers to advertise services online so that they have time and space to reduce risk by vetting clients in advance.
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JBS does not claim to speak for all sex workers as they are the experts in their own experiences. JBS seeks to give a platform to their voices which so often go unheard.
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JBS’s aim is a world where no one is forced to sell sex or feel that they have no other choice. We, however, understand the financial, social and political barriers that prevent those involved from moving away from such work when they wish to do so. Until this aim is achieved, JBS will continue to advocate and campaign for the safety, equality and justice for all. JBS condemns those who exploit and abuse others in the sex industry.
Josephine Butler called for ‘equality and justice for all before the law': this forms the core of the JBS ethos.
