When we look back, we see constant examples from history of violence against women and girls.
It never was and never will be acceptable.
But understanding this history of violence against women and girls is crucial to ensure that change happens and we don’t get stuck in the mistakes and disgusting stereotypes of the past.
What we need is change.
Unfortunately, change tends to only happen when something catestrophic happens. The example of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman is one that immediately springs to mind here.
But history teaches us that we must not wait for atrocious events to happen before we start to take violence against women and girls seriously, and then forget about it again once the dust has settled and another news story comes along.
So with this in mind, let’s dive into a few centuries’ worth of history of violence against women and girls.
400 Years Worth of Violence Against Women and Girls
16th and 17th Centuries
The age of consent for girls in England and Wales was 12 years old. For boys, it was 14.
Criminal Law Amendment Act (1885)
This Act raised the legal age of consent to 16 years old.
However, it didn’t protect all girls.
If a woman under 21 years of age, was a ‘common prostitute,’ or of ‘immoral character,’ the law didn’t apply to her.
This meant that it was deemed acceptable to sexually assault these women due to their profession or societal judgment of their character. We might think, ‘At least the law started to protect some women and girls,’ but that’s far from a consolation.
Sexual assault and rape are wrong, no matter the age or occupation of the victim.
Early 20th Century
Child abuse was often a private matter, sometimes dealt with by the church rather than the criminal justice system.
Unmarried girls who became pregnant were shamed, reflecting the conservative attitudes of the time. Whether these pregnancies were the result of sexual abuse and rape was largely ignored.
If a hasty marriage couldn’t resolve the situation, other ‘solutions’ included sending the pregnant teenager away and then often, sometimes forcibly, giving their baby up for adoption.
1970s and 1980s
The term ‘grooming’ began to be used by police forces in the USA who noticed patterns in sexual crime perpetrators.
It wasn’t officially defined until 1982 as being a seductive process used by sexual offenders.
Protection of Children Act (1978)
This law made the production and distribution of child pornography illegal, reflecting a growing societal awareness and condemnation of sexual exploitation.
And yes, if you’re reading this blog post at the time of publication, you’re over 45 and born in the UK, child pornography was still legal when you were born.
Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper (1981)
Sutcliffe’s crimes, including the murder of 13 women, highlighted the vulnerability of women to sexual violence.
The investigation’s shortcomings led to changes in police procedures and victim support systems.
Children Act (1989)
This Act provided a framework for childcare and protection in the UK, emphasising that a child’s welfare should be the paramount concern in any decisions made by courts, parents, or other agencies.
Fred and Rose West (1994)
The West’s horrific crimes revealed failures in the system, showing how critical signs of abuse had been overlooked by various agencies.
The West case underscored the need for more rigorous safeguarding measures.
Soham Murders and Ian Huntley (2002)
Schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were murdered by Ian Huntley.
Huntley had previously been investigated for sexual offences but still managed to secure employment as a school caretaker.
Sexual Offences Act (2003)
This law overhauled and updated the UK legislation surrounding sexual offences.
It provided and expanded definitions, increased protections for children, and addressed modern concerns such as grooming and online exploitation.
Children Act (2004)
The Children Act was updated following the tragic death of Victoria Climbié in 2000.
This Act update aimed to improve safeguarding by establishing the role of the Children’s Commissioner. Local Safeguarding Children Boards were created to coordinate child protection efforts.
Jimmy Savile Scandal and Operation Yewtree (2012)
Posthumous revelations about Jimmy Savile’s decades of sexual abuse exposed widespread institutional failings.
Operation Yewtree was launched in response to these revelations and led to numerous arrests of high-profile individuals.
This highlighted the prevalence of historical abuse and reinforced the need for thorough investigations, irrespective of the alleged perpetrator’s status or reputation.
The Rotherham and Rochdale Child Sexual Exploitation Scandals
Inquiries revealed extensive abuse in two separate areas of the UK.
In both situations, police and local authorities were criticised for their failure to address the abuse, prompting nationwide reviews of child protection practices.
Modern Slavery Act (2015)
This law was introduced to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. Specific provisions were included to protect children and young people from exploitation.
There was an emphasis on the need for better victim identification and support.
Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law (2018)
Echoing the 2003 legislation from the UK, Jersey updated its laws to recognise the vulnerabilities of young victims and to expand definitions and penalties for sexual offences.
Online Harms White Paper (2019)
This paper aimed to make the internet safer, especially for children.
It proposed measures to combat online abuse, including child sexual exploitation and holding online platforms accountable for user safety.
Why This History Matters
Understanding the history of violence against women and girls, and child protection isn’t just about knowing the past; it’s about recognising patterns and ensuring that we don’t repeat the same mistakes either now or in the future.
Sexual violence and exploitation have existed for centuries, and the path to current safeguarding practices has been riddled with failure and, occasionally, success.
By learning from the past and understanding the roots of current laws and practices, we can better navigate the complexities of modern safeguarding and aim for a safer future for all.
Real change starts with us.
It starts with you and starts with me.
It starts with us calling out people who are wrong.
It starts with supporting victims of sexual offences to speak out if they want to. It’s about having conversations about grooming, what it is, what it looks like, and how there’s no set blueprint for grooming.
It’s about learning the tell-tale and not-so-obvious signs that we can use to identify grooming and have the courage to speak up about our concerns.
This post is adapted from a section of It's All Your Fault - due for release in 2025.
