Otago Daily Times
October 22, 1998

False rape calls worry
NZPA

Wellington: Lower Hutt police are concerned at the number of girls getting drunk and laying false complaints of sexual assault and rape.

Earlier this month a 16-year-old Wainuiomata girl was warned by police after lying about being attacked by three men in Wainuiomata.

The investigation reached the stage where police were actively looking for suspects.

The same day, October 13, a 14-year-old girl found drunk in Queen St, Lower Hutt, about 4.30pm alleged she had been dragged into a car by six men and raped.

The girl was examined by a doctor but the complaint also turned out to be false.

Detective Sergeant Gray Harrison said there had been an noticeable increase over the past six months in the number of false sexual complaints made by girls.

All investigations were treated seriously, until proven otherwise, he said.