Women Police 1962 .... Policewomen and Prostitutes in Melbourne

Lesbianism was still rife. But, it was discreet – though Policewomen sharing a bed with either a Prostitute, another Policewoman, or even a ‘Stripper’ or Nurse, was more still commonplace but carefully managed by all those involved. Alison doubted that she’d been informed on by any of the ‘Lesbian Mafia’ within the ‘Street Patrol’ and ‘Women Police’ Division. Nevertheless, she now felt uncomfortable in ‘The Dungeon’ – the basement office used by the ‘Women Police’ at Russell Street Police Headquarters….nThe real irony was that Lesbianism was tacitly encouraged to a certain extent, within the Victoria Police – Chief Commissioner Duncan and the male hierarchy appreciating that it was preferable to seeing trained ‘straight’ policewomen leaving the Job for marriage and childbirth. It was the senior policewomen who were forcing lesbians from the Victoria Police, even though many themselves, were Bi or Lesbian…n