The Deserted Wives and Children Act (17/1901) was ‘An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to Deserted Wives and Children.’ It was created to ensure men supported their wives and children. Deserting a wife or child was made a criminal offence in the Crimes Act 1900. Initially this Act permitted orders to be made for the support of wives and/or children; an amendment in 1913 permitted the granting of legal custody of children to a wife when an order for support was being made and allowed men imprisoned for failing to pay support to work while in jail. Further amendments were made in 1931, to prevent husbands being imprisoned if they failed to make payments due to unemployment or ill-health. Proceedings under the Act were heard in Children’s Courts, and women who needed welfare support had to sue their husbands for maintenance before receiving aid. The Act was amended and updated in 1960 and repealed by the Maintenance Act 1964.