"Sexual offending against women is far lower."

Russell, I'd be interested to know your source for this.

FYI, in 2005 MOJ stats show there were 1823 convictions for sex offences (up on 1636 for 2004).

Over the past 14 years these figures have waxed & waned but not massively. Of 27,837 sex crime convictions, 45% of all victims were 11 yrs & yngr (12,417); 78% were 16 yrs & yngr (21,670).

These stats mask the true extent of sex crimes against women and children in NZ, given that most go unreported.