The latest exhibition at the Women’s Library, “Prostitution: What’s Going on?” marks the centenary of the death of Josephine Butler (1828–1906), the Victorian social reformer who fought for the rights of prostitutes. The question “What’s going on?” aims to prompt debates on the complex issues surrounding prostitution today.

Prostitution is probably one of the oldest “professions” in the world, but Josephine Butler was one of the first people in the western world to openly challenge the injustices that prostitutes suffered. The first section of the exhibition, “Who was Josephine Butler?” is dedicated to Butler’s life and achievements. Visitors can learn about her upbringing in a prominent family that was also involved in social reforms. An 1886 pamphlet about selling virgins into prostitution is on display, titled “Rebecca Jarrett” after a reformed prostitute taken in by Butler. The following section, “Words & Pictures” explores different names and images that have been used to describe sex sellers and buyers, and one can easily conclude that more negativity is attached to women sex workers than male sex buyers or the exploiters.

The next three sections, “Getting In,” “Locked in?,” and “Getting Out” explore how women from the Victorian era to present day Britain enter prostitution, work in the trade, and find their way out. Josephine Butler fought a major battle on behalf of the prostitutes to repeal the Contagious Diseases Acts, introduced in the 1860s. The legislation aimed to prevent contagious diseases in the armed forces, but it was women suspected of prostitution that were targeted and subjected to examinations. Those who were infected could be kept at “Lock Hospitals” for up to three months. The treatment of the women who may or may not have been prostitutes was often brutal and disrespectful, and there was no provision to get men tested for diseases. Some consider Butler to be one of the bravest feminists because of her work on behalf of stigmatised “fallen women.” Advocating their rights was far from glamorous in the 19th century. Today, some sex workers are much better supported than their Victorian counterparts; items on display include a copy of a “Safety on the Street” leaflet, “Guide to Escorting” booklet, and Respect, the journal of the international union of sex workers.

Some of the characteristics of prostitution have evolved over the last 100 years, but issues such as trafficking and exploitation remain serious problems. The sections “Buying,” “Selling,” and “Spaces & Places” show how prostitution has evolved in the 20th and 21st century. British troops in the early 20th century were given various advice leaflets (on display) on going abroad and how to avoid getting venereal diseases. Visitors can also see a selection of sex tourism guides, such as McCoy’s Street Plan for Men, International Sex and Red Light Guide and Adult London Guide. Moreover, prostitution has moved on from the street and brothel tradition. It took place as civilised “parties” in a London suburban home in the 1970s (as shown in the Cynthia Payne panel), and people can “window shop” in Amsterdam. The exhibition also includes short films made in collaboration with The POPPY project, a charity for vulnerable women. One of the films, Sold Feeling, features the heartbreaking tales of five women who had been trafficked from Lithuania, Russia, and Sierra Leone into the UK.

An interesting section titled “Prostitution and the World Cup” showed the situation on links between the sex industry and the World Cup 2006. A small survey of 34 fans was conducted during the tournament. Although none of the respondents admitted to using prostitutes there, some claimed their friends did. Trafficking was one of the not so pretty consequences of the beautiful game. Did the customers know some of the women were trafficked? If they did, how could they tell and would they still use prostitutes? The issue is further explored in a world context when visitors are shown a world map of sex trafficking. Globalisation takes selling and buying sex into an international level. New markets and “trade routes” have been created; women who have been trafficked are disproportionately from poorer countries, and the customers are both local and foreign in many locations.

There have been numerous campaigns and legislations around the world on prostitution since Josephine Butler’s time. There is a general consensus against child prostitution and human trafficking, but the regulations, attitudes, and approaches to prostitution differ greatly. This exhibition provides an informative background on the Josephine Butler and evolvement of prostitution in modern history. It also highlights some of the major problems of child prostitution and trafficking. I would, however, like the exhibition to have included the views shared by some contemporary sex workers and feminists who believe in their right to be in control of their sexuality and use their bodies as a selling tool. Interestingly, this sentiment was echoed in a couple of the comment board messages made by sex workers who visited the exhibition. Additionally, I believe that there should be a discussion on women who pay for sex, male/transgender prostitutes, and how they all fit within a modern context. I wonder what Josephine Butler would do about the ever more complex issues of prostitution in the 21st century?

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