A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil

In bustling early‑twentieth‑century cities, a hidden peril stalked countless young women—an exploitation so pervasive it was rarely spoken of aloud. Drawing on the meticulous records of a Chicago juvenile protection agency, the author paints vivid portraits of dance halls, factories, hotels and street corners where vulnerability was weaponized. The narrative weaves together testimonies from hundreds of girls and their families, revealing how poverty, migration and urban anonymity converged to make them easy targets.

Against this stark backdrop, the book chronicles the dawning of a collective moral awakening. Lawyers, police, judges, clergy, labor leaders and philanthropists begin to see the problem not as isolated vice but as a societal wound demanding legislation, education and rescue efforts. Their early campaigns—new laws, court reforms, and community programs—signal the first steps of a “new conscience” confronting an age‑old evil.

Through careful analysis and compelling human stories, the work offers listeners a window into the origins of modern child‑protection and anti‑exploitation movements. It invites reflection on how data, compassion and civic action can reshape public policy, laying the groundwork for the reforms that continue to shape our cities today.