What is pitcairn island murders?

The Pitcairn Island murders refer to a series of sexual assaults and rape committed on the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island, a British overseas territory in the South Pacific. The crimes were committed by members of the island's community, mostly men, against girls as young as seven years old.

The abuse began in the 1960s and was not reported to authorities until the early 2000s when a British journalist named Kathy Marks investigated allegations made by a woman named Gail Cox who had left the island. The case led to the arrest and conviction of seven men, including the mayor of the island, Steve Christian.

The trials were held in Auckland, New Zealand, as the island did not have the resources to hold trials of this magnitude. Six of the men were convicted, including Christian, who received a 3-year sentence for obstruction of justice. The other five men received sentences ranging from 6 to 20 years for a range of offenses, including rape, indecent assault, and aiding and abetting sexual assault.

The case raised questions about the lack of oversight of the island's administration and the ability of small isolated communities to govern themselves. It also shed light on the prevalence of sexual abuse and assault in small communities around the world.