Child Sexual Abuse in Victorian England

by Louise A. Jackson

Child Sexual Abuse in Victorian England is the first detailed investigation of the way that child abuse was discovered, debated, diagnosed and dealt with in the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
The focus is placed on the child and his or her experience of court procedure and welfare practice, thereby providing a unique and important evaluation of the treatment of children in the courtroom. Through a series of case studies, including analyses of the criminal courts, the author examines the impact of legislation at grass roots level, and demonstrates why this was a formative period in the legal definition of sexual abuse. Providing a much-needed insight into Victorian attitudes, including that of Christian morality, this book makes a distinctive contribution to the history of crime, social welfare and the family. It also offers a valuable critique of current work on the history of children's homes and institutions, arguing that the inter-personal relationships of children and carers is a crucial area of study.

Genres: History, Sexuality, Victorian, 19th Century

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 1999

Reviews

[abbie burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly exceptional and incredibly enlightening. It not only offers a profound perspective on the phenomenon of child sexual victimisation during the Victorian era but also delves into the intricacies of social constructs, class disparities, religious attitudes, the nuclear family and the true foundation of the patriarchal society that persists in our modern world.

I have revisited this book multiple times, and it has provided me with invaluable insights that I have incorporated into my subsequent academic research.

It stands as the most rigorously researched exploration of the social constructs that perpetuated the veil of secrecy surrounding child sexual abuse; a lamentable shadow that regrettably still lingers within our contemporary social norms.