Female Prostitution.
In the [12th Chapter] of this Treatise,[196] a general view is given of the shocking corruption of Morals, which is generated by the vast increase of common Prostitutes in the Metropolis.—It now becomes necessary to explain the specific remedies which the Author had in view for the purpose of lessening this enormous and afflicting evil.
Its magnitude, and the wrongs that result from it, are too vast and extensive to admit of any common remedy.—The excellent Institution of the Magdalen Hospital in the course of 40 years, has only been able to reform or reconcile to their friends 2,217, out of 3,250 who have been actually admitted within that period—and even some of these have relapsed into their former errors: though others, who have been discharged at their own request, have behaved well.
But when a survey is taken of the aggregate number of unhappy women who have entered the walks of Prostitution within the last 40 years in the Metropolis, succeeding one another perhaps, every 13 years upon an average, it is probable that from 80 to 100,000 have passed through a miserable life, the irreclaimable victims to this debasing turpitude, without the means of rescuing themselves from a situation so pitiable and calamitous.
The fact is, that the evil is of too great a magnitude to admit of a cure through the medium of private benevolence.—Relief without reform, and reputable employment, or reconciliation to relations, will do nothing towards a diminution of the evil.—It will require an extensive System and a corresponding expence, which can only be compassed by a Police applicable to this particular object, aided by appropriate regulations.
After the maturest consideration of the subject, the Author ventures to offer the following Propositions as the most likely, in the first instance, to excite a desire in many of those unhappy women to alter their degrading course of life, and to facilitate their introduction into situations, where, through the medium of a reconciliation with their friends, or otherwise, at least a considerable part might be restored to Society who are lost at present; while, under the regulations hereafter proposed, the streets of the Metropolis will no longer hold out allurements to vice and debauchery, ruinous to the Morals of youth, and disgraceful to the Police of the Metropolis.
1st. It is proposed, with a view to prevent common Prostitutes from walking the streets to assail passengers, and promote the Seduction of Youth, that a Select Body of discreet Officers should be appointed, under the direction of the Central Board, who should apprehend all who can be clearly ascertained to be in pursuit of objects of Prostitution.—That each should be conveyed to their respective homes, and when the Landlord's name, or the person to whom they pay rent or lodging, is by that means ascertained; that such person's name and place of abode, and the names of his or her lodgers be registered, and a penalty of 10s. for the first, and an advance of 5s. more for every additional offence, be inflicted on each hirer of Board or Lodgings for every Female apprehended in the Streets, upon proper proof of an overt-act leading to Prostitution.
In all cases where Prostitutes refuse to discover their real place of abode, they shall be detained in a house to be provided for their reception until such discovery be made.
2d. That every male person who shall be proved to have made, or to have accepted, overtures from any Female walking the Streets, shall in like manner be apprehended, and shall give security for his appearance before a Magistrate next day, or be detained in the Watch-house, and shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a penalty of Twenty Shillings.
3d. That for the purpose of holding out encouragement to that class of unfortunate Females who have been abandoned by their Seducers, and whose minds are not yet debased by an indiscriminate intercourse of Prostitution; and also such others as may have friends likely to assist them, Twelve or more sensible and discreet Matrons shall be appointed, under the Board of Police, with a moderate Salary, and residing (with proper accommodation) in different parts of the Town, on whom it shall be incumbent to receive into their houses, and to provide a temporary residence for every unfortunate Female who may apply, for the purpose of stating her case, with a view to a reconciliation with her friends, and to the exposure of her Seducer, as a check upon such acts of villainy hereafter.—That it shall be the duty of the Matron, after being mistress of the whole case, to open a negociation with the nearest relations or friends of the unfortunate Female, and to use every means to effect a reconciliation; or where that is found impracticable, to endeavour to procure her some reputable employment.