Sex Crimes In W. Samoa

Prom Our Own Correspondent APIA. August 16.

THERE have been a number of sex offenders before the Apia High Court recently. The increase in this type of crime is attributed by some to the lax morality of the “dollar-prosperity” period.

Recently, a 35-years-old Samoan got seven years’ gaol for raping a 15-years old girl, an adopted member of his own family; another Samoan was sentenced to three years for incest and carnal knowledge of his half-sister, 16; and a third Samoan got two years’ gaol for indecent assault on his daughter-in-law, aged 14.

Members of the UNO Commission, here to observe local conditions, were present in Court during some of these proceed ings.