Recent Developments
Further information: Pitcairn sexual assault trial of 2004 and Law enforcement in the Pitcairn IslandsDuring the 20th century, most of the chief magistrates have been from the Christian and Young families, and contact with the outside world continued to increase. In 1970 the British high commissioners of New Zealand became the governors of Pitcairn. Since May 2010 the governor has been Victoria Treadell. In 1999 the position of chief magistrate was replaced by the position of mayor. Another change for the community is the decline of the Adventist church, where there are now only 8 regular worshippers.
Since a population peak of 233 in 1937, the island is suffering from emigration, primarily to New Zealand, leaving a current population of 45.
Currently, the continued existence of the colony is threatened by allegations of a long history and tradition of sexual abuse of girls as young as 10 and 11. On September 30, 2004, seven men resident on Pitcairn, and a further six now living abroad, went on trial facing 55 charges of sex-related offences. Among the accused was Steve Christian, Pitcairn's Mayor, who faced several charges of rape, indecent assault, and child abuse. On October 25, 2004, six men were convicted including Steve Christian. A seventh, the island's former Magistrate Jay Warren, was acquitted.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Pitcairn Islands
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