Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to make further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls, the suppression of brothels, and other purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 48 & 49 Vict. c. 69 |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 14 August 1885 |
| Commencement | 14 August 1885 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Offences against the Person Act 1861 |
| Repeals/revokes | Offences against the Person Act 1875 |
| Amended by | Children Act 1908 |
| Repealed by | Sexual Offences Act 1956 |
| Relates to | Criminal Law Amendment Act 1912 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 (48 & 49 Vict. c. 69), or the Stead's Act was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the latest in a 25-year series of legislation in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland beginning with the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (24 & 25 Vict. c. 100). The act had the long title "An Act to make further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls, the suppression of brothels, and other purposes," It raised the age of consent from 13 years of age to 16 years of age and delineated the penalties for sexual offences against women and minors. It also strengthened existing legislation against prostitution and homosexuality. This act was also notable for the circumstances of its passage in Parliament.