Convictions falling in Wairarapa

Across the board, men were more likely to be convicted of an offence than women, with almost four times as many convictions for men, originating in Masterton District Court, in 2007 and 2012.

Convictions in Wairarapa over the past five years have decreased with almost 200 fewer convictions last year than five years prior - but convictions for sexual offending have more than doubled.

Ministry of Justice statistics show that in 2007, 1260 people who had their first appearance in Masterton District Court were convicted of an offence, compared with 1089 convictions, that originated in Masterton District Court, last year.

Across the board, men were more likely to be convicted of an offence than women, with almost four times as many convictions for men, originating in Masterton District Court, in 2007 and 2012.

There was a slight decrease in convictions for violent offending, which includes homicides, acts intended to injure, abduction, harassment, robbery, extortion and related offences, and also fewer convictions for drink-driving.

In 2007, 172 people were convicted of violent offences and in 2012, 153 were convicted.

Drink driving convictions decreased from 273, in 2007, to 242, in 2012.

However, convictions for sexual assaults and related offences, such as rape, indecent assault, and incest were just over double.

In 2007, four men, whose convictions started in Masterton District Court, were convicted of sexual assault or a related offence.

Last year 10 men were convicted in this category. No women were convicted of sexual assault, or a related offence, in either year.

Wairarapa rape and sexual abuse co-ordinator Michelle Ihaka said the increase in convictions showed higher reporting numbers rather than a decrease in sexual offending.

"There is still a lot of offending, as there has been for years, but these statistics look a lot higher because more people are coming forward to make complaints to the police.

"A lot of historic stuff is coming through as well," she said.

Ms Ihaka said the number of victims she deals with has stayed relatively the same over her 10 years at the organisation - but is still "alarming".

"I think any number of sexual abuse, no matter how high or low, is still an alarming number because it's still happening."

She said conviction numbers overall were low.

"It's only a small number of people that get found guilty when they do make it to trial.

"It's disheartening that there are a lot of cases that go through the courts and are found not guilty due to reasonable doubt and the jury system.

"It doesn't mean that these people [the victims] weren't believed.

"There are a lot of offenders walking around who have never been made accountable for their crimes."

Ms Ihaka says she deals with a small number of male victims and once attended a trial where a woman was the alleged offender.

"Although that does happen it's obviously a smaller number than male offenders, however it's not a shock if I hear about it."