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Ettie Rout: New Zealand's Safer Sex Pioneer
Ettie Rout fought a battle for safer sex in the First World War — and won.
She gave New Zealand the best sexual health system when its army adopted her prophylactic kit and made every soldier going on leave take one — while she was banned from the pages of the newspapers so New Zealanders wouldn't find out. In Paris, having transformed Madame Yvonne's into a safer sex brothel, she met soldiers at the railway station and convinced them to go there if they chose to have sex.
Armed with a wicked sense of humour, an intolerance of hypocrisy and boundless energy, Ettie Rout proved the case for safer sex decades before the term was coined — and the soldiers loved her for it.
This book celebrates an unlikely heroine of the First World War who is now internationally recognised for waging a successful public health crusade. A woman way ahead of her time.
She gave New Zealand the best sexual health system when its army adopted her prophylactic kit and made every soldier going on leave take one — while she was banned from the pages of the newspapers so New Zealanders wouldn't find out. In Paris, having transformed Madame Yvonne's into a safer sex brothel, she met soldiers at the railway station and convinced them to go there if they chose to have sex.
Armed with a wicked sense of humour, an intolerance of hypocrisy and boundless energy, Ettie Rout proved the case for safer sex decades before the term was coined — and the soldiers loved her for it.
This book celebrates an unlikely heroine of the First World War who is now internationally recognised for waging a successful public health crusade. A woman way ahead of her time.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 27, 2020
An interesting account of this women who was well a head of the times in so many ways.
May 10, 2020
An incredible insight into the unspeakable actions of ANZAC antics and a brave women's journey to drive change in a patrioric Christian world. A thought provoking and tragic tale.
January 25, 2016
This excellent account of a pioneeering woman's quest to prevent NZ soldiers from contracting VD in WW1, is a testament to Ettie Rout's far-sighted views and ideas, not only with regard to soldiers' vulnerability in foreign climes. She also advocated eating less bread and more vegetables (sound familiar?) in order to solve English people's problems with constipation. Her husband, Fred Hornibrook, supported her efforts to persuade soldiers to take a prophylactic kit with them when going overseas and was like-minded about the importance of eating well and being physically fit. they married late, both 43, and had no children; unfortunately Fred had affairs which caused Ettie a lot of pain and later, she left England and returned to New Zealand.
Shamefully, NZ had no time for this woman who had saved many soldiers from VD; newspapers had covered up or censored any articles Ettie had sent from England on the topic. Sadly, Ettie sailed for Rarotonga where it is believed she took an overdose of medicine while on a cruise.
Although this story ended tragically, the book is an illuminating look at a very individual woman who started her working life as a journalist and continued to create waves wherever she went, except her own country.
Shamefully, NZ had no time for this woman who had saved many soldiers from VD; newspapers had covered up or censored any articles Ettie had sent from England on the topic. Sadly, Ettie sailed for Rarotonga where it is believed she took an overdose of medicine while on a cruise.
Although this story ended tragically, the book is an illuminating look at a very individual woman who started her working life as a journalist and continued to create waves wherever she went, except her own country.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews