Rebecca Jarrett
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Jarrett was a British
former prostitute and procuress who, with reformer and newspaper editor William Thomas Stead
, fought against child prostitution and white slavery during the late 19th century.
Involved in prostitution during much of her early life, she was eventually found by a Salvation Army
officer in Northampton
in "a distressing condition" and was eventually transferred to a Rescue Home in London, where she resided in a small house in Whitechapel
in November 1885. It was while she stayed there that she told the head mistress Mrs. Bramwell Booth of the conditions she experienced regarding the prostitution of girls as young as thirteen in the brothels and streets of London.
Later that year, she helped Stead in obtaining a 13-year old Eliza Armstrong from her mother, making sure the mother was well aware of their purposes, and had her taken to a local midwife before being sent to a London brothel.
Posing as a rich businessman, he visited the brothel and had the girl drugged before she was brought to him (whereby he had the girl taken to a Salvation Army home in France). Following a series of articles published by Stead in the Pall Mall Gazette
, titled The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon, which received an immediate public outcry resulting in the beginnings of the moral reform movement as rallies were held across the country and a petition sent to the House of Commons
. However, despite public support behind them, both she and Stead were arrested on charges of abduction and indecent assault (possibly arrainged by Cavendish Bentinck) with Jarrett imprisoned for six months until the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
was passed.
After her release, she stayed at a rescue home under a Mrs. Josephine Butler and helped with many other girls and young women who later resided there for a time before returning to Mrs. Booth's home where she resided until her death in early-1928.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
former prostitute and procuress who, with reformer and newspaper editor William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead was an English journalist and editor who, as one of the early pioneers of investigative journalism, became one of the most controversial figures of the Victorian era. His 'New Journalism' paved the way for today's tabloid press...
, fought against child prostitution and white slavery during the late 19th century.
Involved in prostitution during much of her early life, she was eventually found by a Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
officer in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
in "a distressing condition" and was eventually transferred to a Rescue Home in London, where she resided in a small house in Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
in November 1885. It was while she stayed there that she told the head mistress Mrs. Bramwell Booth of the conditions she experienced regarding the prostitution of girls as young as thirteen in the brothels and streets of London.
Later that year, she helped Stead in obtaining a 13-year old Eliza Armstrong from her mother, making sure the mother was well aware of their purposes, and had her taken to a local midwife before being sent to a London brothel.
Posing as a rich businessman, he visited the brothel and had the girl drugged before she was brought to him (whereby he had the girl taken to a Salvation Army home in France). Following a series of articles published by Stead in the Pall Mall Gazette
Pall Mall Gazette
The Pall Mall Gazette was an evening newspaper founded in London on 7 February 1865 by George Murray Smith; its first editor was Frederick Greenwood...
, titled The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon, which received an immediate public outcry resulting in the beginnings of the moral reform movement as rallies were held across the country and a petition sent to the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. However, despite public support behind them, both she and Stead were arrested on charges of abduction and indecent assault (possibly arrainged by Cavendish Bentinck) with Jarrett imprisoned for six months until the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 , or "An Act to make further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls, the suppression of brothels, and other purposes", was the latest in a 25-year series of legislation in the United Kingdom beginning with the Offences against the Person Act 1861 that...
was passed.
After her release, she stayed at a rescue home under a Mrs. Josephine Butler and helped with many other girls and young women who later resided there for a time before returning to Mrs. Booth's home where she resided until her death in early-1928.
Further reading
- Walker, Pamela J. The Conversion of Jessica Jarrett. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
External links
- Victorians Uncovered: Virgin Trade
- Rebecca Jarrett's Narrative, Salvation Army Heritage Centre
- Passing of Rebecca Jarrett