LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF PROSTITUTION IN CROATIAN-SLAVONIAN TERRITORY IN THE PERIOD 1852 – 1929

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present and to analyse the legal framework for the regulation of prostitution in the Croatian-Slavonian territory in the period of validity of the Criminal Code on Felonies, Misdemeanours and Petty Offenses of 1852. The main characteristic of this period is the reglementaristic attitude of the legislator towards prostitution. Reglementarism perceived prostitution as the “necessary evil” that should have been strictly controlled in order to reduce potential social harm. Local police forces supervised prostitution and decided whether or not to prosecute prostitution, and in some cases they tolerated it. For this purpose, local police issued special regulations that were compulsory for prostitutes, kept an official register of prostitutes and brought them under control by keeping their “indecent profession” registered. Registered prostitutes had to undergo regularly scheduled medical examinations. Because of the complexity of prostitution as a social phenomenon and its numerous implications, in addition to criminal provisions, communities sought to take action against the presence of prostitution within local police regulations and health regulations.

Keywords

• prostitucija, hrvatsko-slavonsko područje, Kazneni zakon o zločinima, prijestupima i prekršajima iz 1852., redarstveni i zdravstveni propisi, razdoblje 1852. – 1929.