Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents | Page 8

are girls, and it is quite clear some of them are an
absolute menace. They have dragged boys into this sort of thing. In
general the girls are far worse than the boys.
=(3) Organization of Immorality=
These immoral practices have been organized in a way that was not
evident before. For example, a boy of 17-1/2 years, trusted by his
parents with the charge of their home, abused the trust by arranging
sexual parties on three successive weekends for groups of several girls
and boys. There was also the case of a girl of 14 years who invited a
girl of the same age to her home during the absence of her parents for
the express purpose of having intercourse[1] with her brother aged 15.
This improper use of a parent's home has also occurred in other
districts.
=(4) Recidivism=
The second outbreak of Hutt Valley cases revealed that two boys, one
girl, and one family had become involved in misbehaviour within
eighteen months of their previous offences. In another district
three-quarters of the boys concerned had previously been before the
Court as delinquents, though not all for sexual offences.
=(5) Changed Mental Attitude of Girls and Boys=
Perhaps the most startling feature is the changed mental attitude of
many young people towards this evil. Some offend because they crave
popularity or want to do what their friends are doing. Some assert a
right to do what is regarded by religion, law, and convention as
wrongful. It was reported that some of the girls were either
unconcerned or unashamed, and even proud, of what they had done.

Some of the boys were insolent when questioned and maintained this
attitude. The Committee has not overlooked the fact that in some cases
this attitude may have been due to a defensive reaction.
The recent disclosures caused one headmistress of a city college to
arrange for sex instruction to be given by a lady doctor to various forms.
The girls were invited to submit written questions for the doctor to
answer. Having read the questions, the doctor commented that she must
have prepared the wrong lecture--it should have been for an older group.
A transcript of the questions was produced to the Committee. They
were inquiries which one would assume might be made by young
women who had married or were about to marry. Whether these young
girls were sincere in their questioning of the doctor, whether they
wanted to exhibit advanced knowledge, or whether they were
endeavouring to create a sensation, the fact remains that they had in
mind aspects of sex which were well in advance of their years.
This change in the mental attitude of offending children was further
exemplified by evidence that, in one series of cases in Auckland,
records were kept, and there was some competition between girls
concerning the number of immoral acts in which they were involved.
The Committee were shocked to hear from the police that one girl
claimed a total of 148 instances in her favour.
=(6) Homosexuality=
The Committee has read reports from Great Britain of an increase in
homosexual practices there. Recent New Zealand happenings might be
taken to indicate a similar increase in this country. The Committee has
made no investigation of these matters, but considers it wise to remind
parents that sexual misbehaviour can occur between members of the
same sex.
The conclusion of the Committee is that the above pattern of
immorality is of a kind which was not previously manifest in New
Zealand. It cannot be dealt with on the footing that it has always been
with us. The attitude of mind shown by those who have planned and
organized sexual parties, and sometimes caught others within their net,

is something which demands serious consideration. The subject cannot
be dismissed in the light, airy way of those people who, without any
adequate knowledge of the facts, have been saying that there is nothing
new about the sexual misbehaviour of young people and that nothing
can be done to improve matters. The situation is a serious one, and
something must be done.

VI. Searching for the Cause
Many have been the views expressed as to the reasons for this
immorality and the suggested remedies. After considering the evidence,
after reading much literature on the subject, and weighing up all the
suggested factors, the view of the Committee is that the matter is not
capable of simplification by regarding any, or even all, the causes
suggested and discussed below as being the main cause. In seeking to
remedy the evil it must steadily be borne in mind that we have not only
to deal with the immediately apparent causes. Letters to the press,
letters to this Committee, and many of the submissions made reveal a
failure to dig below the