Josephine Butler
Social reformer, campaigner and activist.
Josephine Butler was a great social reformer throughout her life. She was committed to the cause of establishing social justice and equality for all citizens before the law.
She campaigned passionately against the oppressive Contagious Diseases Act and the state regulation of prostitution*. Additionally, she was a strong advocate for women's and children's rights. Her dedication earned her international respect; she was recognised by Florence Nightingale, who admired her work, and praised by Millicent Fawcett. Their mutual respect highlighted their shared commitment to social reform. Butler's efforts had a profound impact on the movement for women's rights and the fight against exploitation.
*Please note that the use of the word ‘prostitution’ is used here in its historical context only.
Campaigns and Activism
Josephine Butler campaigned vigorously for social reforms, the list below highlights some of her campaigns.
Campaign against Contagious Diseases Act
In the UK, Josephine Butler spearheaded the campaign for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864–1869, which were suspended in 1883 and ultimately repealed in 1886.
The Contagious Diseases Act, first enacted in 1864 and amended in 1866 and 1869, granted police the authority to licence women suspected of prostitution, conduct invasive medical examinations, and detain those found to have sexually transmitted infections in lock hospitals (government hospitals) until they were deemed "clean." Invasive medical exams were the only option to avoid a prison sentence of three months, which was extended to six months in 1869, or hard labour. Notably, the Act did not require similar examinations for men.
​
To fight against these injustices, Josephine Butler founded the Ladies' National Association (which later merged with another association to become what is now The Josephine Butler Society today), which actively campaigned for the repeal of the Act. Despite facing significant opposition and threats, including an incident where a barn hosting one of their public meetings was set on fire, Butler remained undeterred. She and her supporters escaped through a trapdoor and quickly reconvened the meeting at a nearby hotel.
“Your manifesto has shaken us very badly in the House of Commons: a leading man in the House remarked to me, ‘We know how to manage any other opposition in the House or in the country, but this is very awkward for us, this revolt of women’.”
Josephine Butler on a conversation with an MP in the House of Commons (1871)
She was abused in the press too - with Sir James Elphinstone, M. P. stated in an editorial the London Daily News stated that [women like Josephine] ‘are so discontented in their own homes that they have to find an outlet somewhere, they have to be noticed at all costs, and take pleasure in a hobby too nasty to mention." She was also described "an indecent maenad, a shrieking sister, frenzied, unsexed, and utterly without shame," by another journalist of the time. Yet Josephine remained steadfast in her campaign, and ultimately the act was repealed a significant victory against government overreach in matters of morality and public health.
A meeting notice from Josephine Butler
Fought against the state regulation
In 1875 she founded British, Continental and General Federation for the Abolition of Government Regulation of Prostitution, commonly known as the International Abolitionist Federation. This organisation was part of her broader international campaign against the state regulation of prostitution, which she saw as a violation of women’s rights and dignity.
​
Josehine Butler recognised that it was a lack of training and employment opportunities for women that led them to prostitution. She expressed outrage at the shunning of unmarried women and those involved in prostitution and how nothing was done to penalise or criticise the men who used them.
Campaigned to raise the age of consent
She was instrumental in raising the age of consent from 13 to 16 (Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885) as part of a campaign against child sexual exploitation.
Campaigned for further education courses for women
​She took a great interest in women’s education, including access to higher education.
In 1867 she became president of the North of England Council for the Higher Education of Women. In 1868 she published a pamphlet “The Education and Employment of Women” and pressured Cambridge University into offering further education courses for women. The introduction of the Cambridge Higher Examination for Women in 1869 led eventually to the foundation of the women’s college, Newnham at Cambridge.​
Personal Life
Josephine Elizabeth Butler (née Grey) was born on 13th April 1828 in Northumberland. She was the daughter of Hannah and John Grey. At 22 she married George Butler. They had four children.
In 1864, her daughter Eva fell to her death after falling over the bannisters as she ran to greet her parents.
Supporting Others
Throughout their lives, Josephine and her husband offered their home and cared for many women involved with prostitution as well as those had been imprisoned, who were unwell or close to the ends of their lives. They were part of the the rescue philanthropy era of the Victorian times.
Her Faith
Her work was inspired by a deep Christian faith, and she is remembered officially in the Church of England Calendar on 30th May each year. She has also been called the 'patron saint of prostitutes'.
