demand for sex work, and brothels began to proliferate in many urban areas. However, the social stigma attached to sex work meant that many sex workers were forced to operate in secret, and they were often at risk of exploitation and abuse.

In the 19th century, moral reformers began to push for stricter laws and regulations to protect sex workers and reduce the spread of venereal diseases. In 1864, the Contagious Diseases Acts were passed, which required sex workers in certain designated areas to undergo regular medical examinations. This was intended to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, but it had the effect of further stigmatizing sex workers and making them more vulnerable to abuse. In 1886, the Criminal Law Amendment Act was passed, which made it illegal to procure a woman for the purposes of prostitution, and it also raised the age of consent to 16.

In the early 20th century, the law began to take a more tolerant approach to sex work, and it became legal for women to work as prostitutes in certain designated areas. This was known as the “containment policy,” and it was intended to prevent the spread of venereal diseases by confining sex work to specific areas. However, the law continued to criminalize many aspects of sex work, including soliciting, brothel-keeping, and kerb-crawling. This meant that sex workers were still at risk of arrest and prosecution, and they often had to operate in secret in order to avoid detection.