Domestic abuse soars by nearly 50 percent during the summer, a support group warned as it urged victims to seek help.

But even though the number of cases being reported spikes, experts believe many more people continue to suffer in silence.

Laurie Shiell, executive director of Bermuda’s Centre Against Abuse, revealed domestic abuse was “a big problem that goes unreported”.

“In January we get maybe 50 calls for the month but in June and July it can be up in the 90s,” she said.

“There’s a definite increase across the summer months — that’s mental, physical and verbal abuse.

“When you have heat people will be irritable. It’s not going to make someone an abuser but it makes abusers more abusive.

“We’ve had more and more people calling over stalking and harassment — we can help you get a protection order.

“There’s a lot of hidden abuse in Bermuda. People can feel shame if they are in this position and don’t want anyone to know. They might be well known, a business owner, a CEO.

“If you walk down the road and someone slaps you, you will go to the police, but it’s not something we do when it comes to our partner.

“Few recognise it can be a life or death situation.”

Ms Shiell said men were often reluctant to report abuse for fear of being mocked or not being taken seriously,

“With harassment they can think is it’s just another crazy lady but if someone wishes you harm you need to be very careful,” she said. “We and the police will take it seriously.

“We’ve definitely seen a change in the way domestics are handled and we’ve had the privilege of helping to train the new police recruits for four or five years.”

Ms Shiell fears victims can be afraid to seek help out of fear or because of a perceived stigma attached to domestic abuse, that somehow it is the victim’s fault or that they are overreacting.

She said: “It’s not only the stigma but because of the size of the Island people feel they can’t keep anything confidential, that people will see them go for help or see police at their house.

“The Centre Against Abuse is confidential. People whose parents have been in that type of relationship often encourage them to stay, they tend to tell you it’s your fault, it’s not that bad — it’s fairly common. Victims have their confidence beaten out of them. Many women who are in abusive relationships have also been sexually abused by partners. If you ask if they have been raped they say no. If you ask if they have been forced to have sex then they say yes.

“It’s only when you say that being forced is being raped do they connect that.”

Last year, the Centre’s safe house offered a shelter to 31 women and children fleeing domestic violence. More than 120 women and 31 men were helped at their offices, and they provided court advocacy services for ten protection orders.

About one in eight adults in Bermuda has experienced domestic violence in which a partner had physically hurt them, according to the Bermuda Health Council’s Health Disparities Report for 2013.

Women are nearly three times as likely as men to report this violence, the report adds. Ms Shiell said neighbours, friends and family members could also contact the centre if they feared someone was being abused.

“It takes one blow to end a life. If you’re looking in on this situation, think about what you can do as a friend,” she said. If you or a friend is being harassed, the Centre advises collecting evidence.

“If you see an individual wandering by or hanging around, take a photo on your cellphone,” Ms Shiell said. “If you are in a car or bike and being followed, drive past police CCTV so they can check the records.”

Ms Shiell emphasised that domestic abuse was a global problem, not just a Bermuda problem, and that the Centre welcomed all residents regardless of race, nationality, gender or sexuality.

She also highlighted that people should not let financial worries deter them from seeking help.

“We’re a charity and people assume we’re being fully funded by Government but we receive a grant. Our annual budget is close to $500,000 and we have to get donations.”

As well as offering shelter and advice to victims, the Centre also runs a Batterers Intervention programme to help abusers change their behaviour. They also run classes on anger management and offer counselling. Bermuda Police Service’s domestic abuse liaison officer, Julia Swan, visits the Centre on Thursday mornings and victims or concerned residents are encouraged to approach her or Centre staff.