The Shield

‘The Shield’, journal of The Ladies National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts, established in 1869 by Elizabeth Wolstenholme and Josephine Butler. First published in 1870, acted as a key campaigning tool. The aim of the campaign was for the reform of the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866 and 1869 which forced women in certain towns containing military bases to undergo intrusive medical examinations for venereal disease if they were suspected of being prostitutes.