SEXUAL OFFENCES.

Grey River Argus, 2 December 1920, Page 3

SEXUAL OFFENCES.

PRISONS BOARD'S ATTITUDE. SURGICAL OPERATIONS URGED. " AUCKLAND), December 1. At a meetfng of the Prisons' Board to-day, the frequency of sexual offences in the Dominion was considered, and, in view of tlfeT gravity of the position, the following pronouncement, was unanimously agreed to: — "Whereas an increasing number of sexual offences have been the subject of frequent and serious judicial comment, especially in cases where young children were the victims, or where the very serious nature of the charge was connected with a. perversion dangerous to the moral welbeing of soiety; and, as the experience of the Board in dealing with prisoners of this class is in accord, as far as it goes, with, the iiqw generally accepted opinion that, with certain exceptions., persons committing an unnatural offence labour under physical disease or disability, or mental deficiency, or disorder, or both, which accounts for the sexual perversion and morbid character of the offence charged, it is. therefore resolved by the Prisons Board to strongly recommend to . the Government an amendment of the Crimes Act, under which such, offenders could, be dealt with scientifically before sentence is pronounced, by (1)' furnishing expert medical or surgical reports or evidence;. (2) by sanctioning, an indeterminate sentence,; "(3')/by segrating persons s.o. sentenced, and so , subjecting them, under proper saf cguards _', io any medical or . surgical treatment which may bo deemed necessary' ox. expedient, either for their own good or in; the public interest.