In view of the fact that the happenings in the Hutt Valley were reported
in all New Zealand newspapers, and by many newspapers in Australia and
Great Britain, the Committee points out that the increase of sexual
delinquency is not confined to any one district or any one country.

It cannot be too strongly asserted that the great majority of the young
people of the Hutt Valley are as healthy-minded and as well behaved as
those in other districts, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere. It just
happened that, through the voluntary confession of one girl in Petone,
many cases were immediately brought to the knowledge of the police.

In the absence of comparable statistics from other countries, the
Committee can merely quote from some of the reports received in New
Zealand at about the same time that the Hutt Valley cases were reported.

(_a_) _England_

In Monmouthshire last year there was an increase of 88 per cent
in sexual offences. The biggest increases recorded were for
indecent assault on females--132 in 1953, compared with 75 in
1952--and for offences against girls under 16 years of age. In
his annual report the Chief Constable states that this shocking
record is a further indication of the general lowering of moral
standards ...--_The "Police Review" (London), 19 February 1954._


(_b_) _New South Wales_

POLICE UNCOVER WILD TEENAGE SEX ORGIES