Submitted by: Moral Welfare Sectional Committee

The National Council of Women of Great Britain in Conference assembled re-affirms its belief in the equal moral responsibility of men and women and in the equality of all citizens before the law. Section 1 of the Street Offences Act contravenes both these principles because it applies solely to the common prostitute.  The National Council of Women therefore urges that the Act be amended so as to make it an offence for any person, in any street or public place, persistently to importune for immoral purposes. Note, “Importune” shall be construed as referring to acts of molestation by offensive words or behaviour.

“Immoral purposes” include the purpose of prostitution, whether heterosexual or homosexual, and whether or not any such purpose amounts to an offence against the criminal law.