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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sexual exploitation exposed!,
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This review is from: Abductors (Paperback)
I first read this book back in 1976 while living in Sydney Australia. I didn't know, at the time, that Stuart Cloete had just died. I do remember the impression this book left with me. Historical fiction it is; but with so much fact and accuracy, this book covers a period of social awakening that continues to this day. Basically, Cloete writes about the prevalence, acceptance and unspoken practice of considering women property, for the purpose of male sexual gratification. The practices of the time, Victorian England, went far beyond prostitution. There was a thriving trade in the sale of young girls (some barely walking), prepubescent and adolescent girls both domestically and to foreign interest on the continent. Even members of the House of Lords and House of Commons were 'guilty' of 'buying' children and girls which were kept for their specific amusement. In many cases, these children were 'snatched' off the streets and kept prisoner and in 'servitude'. The girls that did survive felt so debased they didn't even try and return home if they did find freedom. And, it would've been doubtful if their families would've welcomed them back because they'd become 'soiled doves'. As Cloete spins his tale, journalist/newspaper editor William Stead (a real person), begins a campaign to expose these evils and to raise the age of consent which, to that point in time, prevented prosecution in the unlikely event procurers or madams were charged with some kind of crime. The age of consent had been 13 years of age. During trials where it was necessary to have witnesses speak to their own kidnapping or exploitation, because of their young age they were always deemed unreliable as acceptable witnesses so cases never proceeded. Stead, with the assistance of the Salvation Army, changed all that and much of the young trade stopped. Cloete, however, is the first to admit in statements at the back of the book, that the exploitation of young women continues today and I would tend to agree. Au pairs (family helpers) in Great Britain and Europe are frequently lured to exotic places with the promise of jobs or vacations and promptly disappear. Yes, even in this century. So, I heartily recommend this book. I was delighted to find it after 30 years. It is still very fresh. As an additional point of interest, William Stead, after a short spell in prison (read the book), continued his journalistic exposes. He went down with the HMS Titanic.
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