Adults are to blame for the leap in the temperature of violence, according to former Government senator Calvin Smith.

Speaking at a Press conference yesterday, Mr. Smith discussed both the root causes behind violence in Bermuda and the effectiveness of the many forums held recently to tackle the problem.

The political affairs arm of the Bermuda Industrial Union will be holding just such a forum on Tuesday, May 18 at 7.30 p.m.

When asked if he thought all the talking would make a difference, Mr. Smith replied that, in the case of the BIU, it would. ?The feedback we get will definitely be transmitted to Parliament and to the community,? he said.

Noting that the BIU has a strong presence among MPs, he added: ?We will be making the political authorities aware of what needs to be done, and do it?.

Though youths such as those facing charges in the terrifying Wellington Oval incident are in a significant minority, he agreed that minority still has a powerful effect on the community as a whole.

He said he felt youth violence was ?an indicator of the state of the whole society?.

And times have changed, he added. ?In the old days when fights started a weapon was a last resort?. Now people are terrified to see a fight because they know it?s going to start with a knife.

?We as adults have raised the temperature of violence.... Who makes violence in movies? These aren?t teenagers. These are adults making crazy money.?

Both Mr. Smith and BIU education officer Colin Simmons agreed there is a lower level of tolerance in Bermuda today. ?The attitude now of young people is hey, I want to take you out,? Mr. Simmons said.

And it is not because youngsters are afraid of the law. ?I have witnessed it?.

?Once caught and outside of the observance of friends they are crying like babies, they want their mommies,? Mr. Smith said.

?A lot of it is a sense of bravado... but even acting out of a sense of bravado you can kill somebody.?

Admitting he was disappointed to hear the proud comments of parents waiting outside the courts as their sons were charged in the Wellington Oval incident, Mr. Smith said: ?It?s adults who need a change of mind?.

The BIU forum, ?Reducing Youth Violence through Positive Youth Development?, will be held on Tuesday, May 18, at 7.30 p.m.

Speakers include Berkeley teacher David Chapman, Greater Smith?s Hill New Testament Church of God Reverend Lloyd Duncan, recently retired co-ordinator of Addiction Services Bryant Richards, executive director of the Family Learning Centre Martha Dismont, and officer-in-charge of the Serious Crime Unit at the Bermuda Police Service Det. Chief Insp. Stuart Crockwell.