Following the scandal described by WT Stead in the UK, there was much discussion of the white slave trade in Adelaide, and with the formation of the Social Purity Society of South Australia in 1882 along similar lines to that in other countries, similar legislation to the UK "Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment Act 1885" was enacted, making it an offence to procure the defilement of a female by fraud or threat (the 1885 "Protection of Young Persons Act"). Opinions were divided as to whether to address the issue of prostitution by social reform and 'prevention', or by legislation, and many debates were held concerning the need for licensing and regulation.