The Contagious Diseases Act 1869 allowed police to force women suspected of prostitution to submit to a physical examination. If found to have a sexually transmitted infection, they were held in a ‘lock hospital’. This plan is of the Christchurch Lock Hospital, which was part of Addington Prison. The layout of the lock hospital shows that the occupants were kept in similar conditions to prisoners. Opponents of the law argued that it allowed men to sin without fear, at women’s expense.
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Christchurch Regional Office, Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference:
CH287, CP 343c, ICPS 1211-1872
Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga (Christchurch Regional Office) must be obtained before any re-use of this material.
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