TREATMENT FOR SEX OFFENDERS STUDIED

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 27

TREATMENT FOR SEX OFFENDERS STUDIED

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 17. The Government may consider a system of voluntary medical treatment for some sex crimes this year. This could include sterilisation and rendering impotent for second offence rapists and other sex criminals.

The treatment is seen as an alternative to indefinite imprisonment.

The Government is also drafting legislation to give the Crown limited power to appeal against criminal sentences it deems too light. The exploration of possibilities for medical treatment arises from official concern at the incidence of sex crimes In the community. The Attorney-General (Mr Hanan), and the Justice Department. have already begun to examine procedures elsewhere, particularly those in Scandinavia. Sterilisation simply to prevent conception is not considered adequate to prevent the risk of physical harm, especially of the young, by habitual sex offenders. Experts are considering techniques for rendering such criminals impotent. Preliminary studies suggest that surgery would not necessarily be effective in all cases, and that hormone treatment might be better. Possible approaches which Mr Hanan is believed to be considering are: Setting up a Royal Commission on the subject. Empanelling a specialist medical study group. Turning the matter over to a committee of the new law revision commission.

The authorities are not considering compelling any sex criminals to accept treatment, but they are interested in a Danish procedure under which child-rapists are imprisoned indefinitely unless they volunteer for treatment. New Zealand laws provide for imprisonment for the whole of life for people categorised as being a potential danger to society because of their sex convictions and tendencies. A second conviction for a sex offence, as well as a conviction for murder associated with certain sexual offences, carries a penalty of life imprisonment. The plans’ possibilities may

be explored in Parliament during the coming session, when Mr Hanan introduces legislation which will deal with another aspect of public dissatisfaction in dealing with sex offenders. . A Crimes Amendment Bill, now being drafted, will include clauses allowing the Crown to appeal against a sentence imposed by the Supreme Court in cases where the Attorney-General deems the sentence inadequate. Whether the provision will apply only to specified sex offences or give the Crown appeal rights on major crimes generally, but still at the discretion of the Attorney-Gene-ral has yet to be resolved.