The Storm Bell. |
Campaigning
Josephine is perhaps most noted for her work in the repeal of The Contagious Diseases Act. The Act was passed in the 1860's to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases amongst men in the armed forces, whereby women identified as ‘common prostitutes’ were forcibly examined and placed in lock-up hospitals if found to be diseased. At a time when it was considered a disgrace for a woman to appear on a public platform, and the subject itself regarded as too shocking for ‘respectable’ women, the endeavours of Josephine and her co-workers against the laws were seen as sensational and daring. The repeal campaign, which aimed to expose the double standard of sexual morality, holds a crucial position in the history of female emancipation.
Although much of Josephine’s time was taken up with campaigning, she also travelled widely in UK and on the Continent with her husband, who was a staunch supporter of all her causes. After the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts in 1886, she continued to oppose state regulation of prostitution throughout the world. She also had strong views on topics such as slavery, Irish Home Rule, and the Boer War.
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