reminder of how far Bermuda has come in this area -- and how far there is to go.

While the rise in reports of domestic violence might suggest that Bermuda is seeing an increase in these kinds of incidents, the greater likelihood is that victims are more willing to come forward.

There was a time when violence in the home -- especially by the husband -- was not only acceptable, it was legal in some countries.

Changing attitudes about domestic violence mean that those views are now rejected, both in the courts and in everyday life.

Some years ago, then-Human Affairs Minister Jerome Dill called for a ban on the term domestic violence, saying it should be seen for what it was; plain old violence.

That argument has some validity. There is no difference between a punch thrown in a kitchen and a punch thrown in a street.

But what this week's series should also make clear is that the fear which a day-in day-out victim of spousal abuse -- or indeed the abuse of older people by their younger relatives -- feels has few parallels.

If the perpetrator of domestic violence should be treated in the same way as any other violent offender, there has to be a recognition that the victims need careful treatment and protection.

REAL HEROES EDT Real heroes At times it is easy to feel that Bermuda is beset by problems of every kind for which there are no easy answers.

Listening to the talk shows, reading some of the letters to the Editor and talking to people on the street can give the feeling that the sky is going to fall at any time.

This sea of negativism is not restricted by race, gender or class -- it is entirely non-discriminatory. The complaints may differ, but the mood is the same.

That's why it was so refreshing to see Wednesday night's awards ceremony in which six people were honoured for acts of bravery.

In one incident, two air conditioning engineers rescued a toddler from the sea. Had they not acted, the child would almost certainly have drowned.

Lifeguards were honoured for pulling swimmers out of the ocean in high seas last September. A buggy driver prevented two visitors from being robbed. And a Policeman prevented a runaway horse from hurting anyone.

In some of these cases, it could be argued that the rescuers did nothing more than anyone should in the same circumstances.

But there is a big difference between knowing what we should do and actually doing it. When the moment comes to act, some people will shy away (or walk away). The courageous will do it.

The six people who were honoured on Wednesday deserve their awards and they deserve the community's thanks for helping others and restoring our faith in the essential goodness of people.