Double Standards - Josephine Butler

1828–1906

“God and one woman make a majority.”

So said Josephine Butler as she fought the double standards of England’s Victorian era. On the surface, British society was all very proper. Public standards of behavior were maintained. But there was a hidden hypocrisy that all too often worked against women and children. Josephine sought to expose and eradicate that.

As a devout Christian, she surprised some people by taking an interest in the welfare of prostitutes. While she opposed the business of prostitution, she showed compassion for the women caught up in it, sometimes even bringing them into her home. Politically, she worked to repeal the Contagious Disease Acts—which included a law that required suspected prostitutes, but not those who hired them, to be examined for venereal disease.

After a victory on that front, she turned her attention to forced child prostitution. Her efforts exposed England’s rampant but long-hidden problems in this area, changing the legal age of sexual consent from thirteen to sixteen.

Josephine knew right from wrong, but she also understood that Victorian society made it difficult for women trapped in certain circumstances to do the right thing. Society created unfair rules and laws about what women could and couldn’t do, leaving them with limited choices. Instead of judging these women for their sins, Josephine looked at the big picture. She saw a society that worked against these women, and she fought for changes, even against strong opposition. Among other projects, she promoted education for women and girls, so they could find a respectable place in this society. Often she was that “one woman” who, with God on her side, would form a majority.

It’s easy to judge someone’s actions without considering the circumstances. We like to maintain moral standards in society, and that might tempt us to put down those who don’t comply. But often there’s a story behind the story. We mustn’t wink at wrongdoing, but Jesus insists that we show compassion.

When you encounter people who have done wrong, are you able to look past what they’ve done to understand why they’ve done it? Even more, like Josephine, are you willing to figure out how to help them into a situation where they don’t feel the need to do it again?

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.

Luke 6:36-37