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Summary: Unpleasant, Yet A Fact (NZ Truth, 23 February 1924)
On 23 February 1924, a report highlighted the alarming rise in sexual crime and perversion in New Zealand, using official statistics from 1919 to 1922. The data revealed a consistent increase in various sexual offenses, including unnatural offenses, indecent assaults, rape, incest, and carnal knowledge. Notably, the number of convictions for indecent assaults on males grew significantly, indicating a troubling trend towards more severe sexual crimes.
The reported figures are as follows for several key offenses over the years:
Unnatural offenses: 2 (1919), 5 (1920), 6 (1921), 8 (1922).
Indecent assault on male: 14 (1919), 12 (1920), 26 (1921), 43 (1922).
Incest: 3 (1919), 5 (1920), 13 (1921), 8 (1922).
Indecent acts: 28 (1919), 18 (1920), 25 (1921), 27 (1922).
Concealment of births: 5 (1919), 2 (1920), 2 (1921), 3 (1922).
Indecent assaults: 72 (1919), 70 (1920), 114 (1921), 85 (1922).
Rape: 8 (1919), 4 (1920), 12 (1921), 4 (1922).
Carnal knowledge: 24 (1919), 14 (1920), 36 (1921), 29 (1922).
Total offenses documented: Increased from 388 (1919) to 468 (1922).
The text expresses concern over the implications of the rising crime rates, suggesting that both native and immigrant populations contribute to the issue, although it emphasizes that local "undesirable" elements are significant. The report suggested a potential link between sexual crimes and the mental or physical disorders of offenders and proposed sterilization as a possible remedy. This controversial recommendation followed a resolution from the New Zealand Prisons Board, advocating for scientific methods in dealing with offenders, including the independent expert assessment before sentencing and the possibility of indefinite incarceration for those considered a danger to society.
Moreover, the piece underscored the necessity for stronger immigration supervision, arguing that many new immigrant arrivals pose a threat by engaging in various crimes, especially against women and children. These concerns were underscored by statistics from the Wellington Supreme Court, which showed that a significant number of offenders were of immigrant background, prompting an outcry for protective measures against what was labeled as “human rubbish.”
The report concludes with a call to action for the Prime Minister to address these societal issues, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding women and children against the risks posed by criminal elements within both the native-born and immigrant populations. The tone reflects a deep concern for public morality and the need for government intervention to control rising incidences of sexual crimes in society.
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