Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885

The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United Kingdom, officially cited as "48 & 49 Vict. c. 69". This Act aimed to provide better protection for women and girls, as well as to suppress various forms of sexual offenses. It was a significant development in the Victorian era, reflecting the social reforms and moral attitudes of the time.

Background

The Act was introduced in response to growing public concern over the exploitation of women and children. This concern was partly fueled by a sensational investigation by journalist W. T. Stead in the Pall Mall Gazette, which exposed the trafficking of young girls in London. The public outcry following Stead's exposé played a crucial role in pressuring Parliament to pass the legislation.

Key Provisions

One of the most notable aspects of the Act was the raising of the age of consent from 13 to 16 years, which was a significant step towards protecting young girls from sexual exploitation. Additionally, the Act increased the penalties for various sexual offenses, thereby aiming to deter such acts.

Labouchère Amendment

The Act is perhaps most famously known for the inclusion of Section 11, commonly referred to as the Labouchère Amendment. This amendment made "gross indecency" a criminal offense, effectively criminalizing homosexual acts between men. This section was significant in the history of LGBTQ rights in the UK as it had profound and long-lasting impacts on the legal status of homosexual men.

Implementation and Impact

The passage of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 was not straightforward. Initially introduced in the House of Lords in 1883, the Bill faced challenges and was dropped multiple times before finally being passed in 1885, following the public outcry from Stead's investigation. The Act received Royal Assent on 14 August 1885.

Organizations such as The Salvation Army played an instrumental role in lobbying for the Act, showcasing the influence of social and religious groups in legislative reforms during the period.

Related Legislation

The Act repealed sections of prior legislation, including the Offences against the Person Act 1861 and the Offences against the Person Act 1875. The changes enacted by the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 laid the groundwork for later reforms, including the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and subsequent age-of-consent reforms.

Related Topics

• Age-of-consent reform in the United Kingdom
• Sexual offences in Northern Ireland law
• LGBTQ rights in the 19th century

The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 remains a pivotal moment in the history of British law, reflecting the societal values and challenges of its time while paving the way for future legal developments.