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"The International Traffic in Girls," June 1886
Document 3: "The International Traffic in Girls," Philanthropist, 1 (June 1886),
p. 4.
Introduction
Purity reformers believed the "white slave traffic" could be combated by raising
the legal age of consent. The following document, a memorial sent to Congress by
the New York Committee for the Prevention of State Regulation of Vice, argued that
Canadian girls were brought into the United States to be prostitutes, and asked
legislators to take action to stop the traffic. Reformers, emphasizing the protection
of white women, ignored entirely the serious sexual exploitation suffered by African-
American women.
THE INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN GIRLS.
__________
THE NEW YORK COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF
STATE REGULATION OF VICE, on the 22d ult., adopted the following
memorial to Congress in relation to the alleged traffic in young girls for
immoral purposes:
MEMORIAL
To the United States Senate and House of Representatives:
Whereas, a Quebec telegram of the 16 ult.,widely published says:--
"Wholesale trading in young and innocent girls for the purpose of
prostitution has come to the notice of the authorities.
Agents from disreputable houses in the large cities in the United
States have been in the habit of coming here and have ingratiated
themselves with young women and got them to go the United States,
where they are drawn into a life of infamy.
The trade has been carried on to an alarming extent, sometimes
as many as fifteen girls being shipped in a week." The telegram adds:
"The police authorities and clergy held a consultation to-day over the
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