You've heard about MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving – now meet Bermuda's MADD 2, Mothers Against Destructive Devices.

MADD 2 is the name of a rally organised by the Christian non-denominational women's ministry, WOVEN (Women of Vision Empowering Nations).

Violence, road fatalities, substance abuse, teen pregnancies, education deficiencies are the five key areas identified by MADD 2.

The rally, on August 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Victoria Park, is designed for mothers to take a stand against those five areas which the group says are significantly impacting Bermuda's children.

Vice-Chairperson, Sharon Apopa said: "This rally will be about prevention and intervention to decrease high stressors in parents, particularly women.

"There will be informational booths featuring prevention specialists for these destructive areas."

Prevention specialists who will be available include Child and Adolescent Services, Teen Haven, Road Safety Council, The Family Centre and the School Counsellors Association.

She added: "This is also a time when mothers and families can network and align with each other for additional support."

Recently, the Island has suffered losses due to violence with the stabbing death of Kellon Hill, the murder of Rhiana Moore, the stabbing death of Matthew Clarke in April and on Boxing Day Akil Richardson was shot dead.

WOVEN said it wanted to stress that although there had been a spate of violence, the issues it wanted to focus on had been issues for some time.

The rally will feature mothers with a message who have been directly impacted by the five destructive areas.

Rhiana Moore's mother, Julieann Wainwright will be speaking to mothers at the rally about keeping a positive relationship with a child.

There will also be a guest speaker, Babara Rogers, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who is the director and founder of the Christ Like Skills Programme. She will be speaking on Family Life Skills.

Following the rally, there will be a Parent Support Group, which will be held at the Evening Light Pentecostal Church on Parson's Road in Pembroke, every Monday starting October 6 and will continue until June 1, 2009.

"We want everyone to know that this is not just a passing phase in wake of the recent tragedies but we will be there for mothers right throughout the year, offering support and education to deal with their child's issues.

"Although the support group will not be clinical, there will be clinical staff on hand if needed," said Mrs. Apopa.

She also wanted to stress that although the event was being sponsored by a Christian organisation, it is not a religious issue rather a national issue that affects everyone.