| Description | Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury delivered this address to an unspecified gathering of people who she states shared 'real and deep sympathy' with the object of the Criminal Law Amendment (White Slave Traffic) Bill. She comments that the Bill had previously failed to obtain a second reading by Parliament owing to a lack of public support, remarking that 'many people are still unaware of the extent of this infamous traffic'. Acknowledging that it was difficult to speak publicly about the issues addressed in the Bill, Taylor Cadbury states that 'only a strong and overwhelming sense of duty' had encouraged women to speak out on the subject, 'risking criticism and misunderstanding'.
Taylor Cadbury's address provides an account of the different groups supporting the Bill including the Ladies' National Association for the Promotion of Social Purity. She emphasises that both men and women 'representing almost every shade of political and religious opinion' were supporting the Bill. The typescript features a handwritten annotation added by Taylor Cadbury which states 'though we emphasise the importance of woman's influence in this cause we recognise the noble work done by many men: it is a cause in which men & women must act together.'
Taylor Cadbury refers to statistics from London and New York which revealed 'the existence of this terrible White Slave Traffic' and considers the ways in which the Bill would 'help this state of things'. She emphasises the importance of empowering the police to deal with suspected offenders and the need to improve social conditions to prevent women from being 'driven to a life of ill-fame'. Taylor Cadbury attributes blame for women entering this way of life to the bad living conditions of girls within 'crowded and unwholesome dwellings', remarking also on the 'decadence, love of wealth, luxury, self indulgence' and 'declining power of self-control' which she identified in twentieth century life. Criticising the 'inefficient religious and ethical training' of the modern day, Taylor Cadbury encourages her audience to play an active role in improving social conditions. She remarks on the need for a 'spiritual atmosphere' in 'social, political, and home life' which would 'enable us to live above the material compromises of to-day'. |
| AdminHistory | This address relates to the Criminal Law Amendment (White Slave Traffic) Bill which was passed in 1911 amending the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 and the Vagrancy Act of 1898 to protect women and girls from human trafficking. |