Attorney General and Senator Kim Wilson yesterday defended the parental responsibility law explaining it would not target families who needed help from Government's services.

The law could see parents going to jail or facing serious fines for failing to rein in their child's delinquent behaviour.

Premier Ewart Brown announced the idea in August as one of several proposals contained in a Cabinet "road map" aimed at tackling escalating youth violence.

And in the Throne Speech earlier this month, Government committed to the legislation, which would "make parents more accountable for the delinquency of their children."

In the Senate yesterday Sen. Wilson made it very clear that any confusion in the media and talk shows should be put to bed, because Government would not be coming after families who tried, but were unable to provide for their families. She said: "There have been a number of comments in the media and on the talk shows in reference to this bold initiative.

"We do recognise there are many families out there that are in need of various services and they have tried to better provide for their children. For those families we have the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Housing. Parental responsibility is to deal with those families that are not doing such.

"I as a parent and parents, we do have a responsibility and duty to our children to make sure we raise them properly; to make sure they know what's right and wrong.

"There are times when they don't want to take responsibility for the child and think it's the government's responsibility. If that parent does not want to rein in a delinquent child that's where the law will come into play."

Sen. Wilson also mentioned the creation of a Law Reform Commission, which she said would help take old, outdated laws off the books and help vet new law.

The Attorney General also acknowledged the public's fear of the increasing violence and said that Government was taking steps to combat this by introducing the Witness Care Unit.

With the help of a liaison officer, the witness would have someone to answer any concerns or questions about the legal process. Also aiding the witnesses coming forward would be videoconferencing.

No longer will vulnerable witnesses have to be in the same court room as the defendant and in the more severe cases a memorandum of understanding with other Overseas Territory Countries may be signed that would allow the relocation of witnesses.

However, Sen. Wilson added: "I must add there's no requirement that Bermuda or any other countries accept eye witnesses of this programme."

Independent Senator Joan Dillas Wright said she backed the law reforms included in the Throne Speech, especially the move to decriminalise persons with mental health challenges.

In her maiden speech to the Senate Chambers, Sen. Dillas Wright also raised the issue of the former medical clinic patients whose source of treatment for years was closed last June.

She added: "People want to know that when it closed that people are getting the services that they need. So some information on that would be very beneficial."

UBP Senator Jeanne Atherden also commended the Government on their law reforms, however, was concerned about how Government has grown. She said: "Government has become the largest employer on the Island as we add more there needs to be more revenue."