A forum last week on raising boys went "extremely well'', according to backbencher Dale Butler who organised the event.

Over 200 people attended the evening forum at St. Mary's church hall on Thursday, said Mr. Butler.

"People were somewhat overwhelmed -- there was just so much going on,'' he told The Royal Gazette Already there are calls for more of the same with Sandys Middle School organising its own for next month, said the MP.

Besides presentations by Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith, psychologist Dr.

Wells Hively, Wayne Caines, single mother Laverne Furbert and Fathers Resource Centre head Alvin Goulbourne, the audience got a first hand look at the offerings of a number of Island resources such as the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

Mr. Gouldbourne told The Royal Gazette that a forum on the subject was always valuable because of the unique challenges and developmental needs of boys.

"Parents come and learn,'' he said.

"Boys in particular are at risk. For example, young boys don't have the fine motor skills that young girls do.

"They tend to use their gross motor skills.'' Mr. Gouldbourne added that boys also differ from girls in how they deal with anxiety.

"They like to know who's in charge, what are the rules and are they fair.

"They tend to look for hierarchy.'' The forum was organised as the first memorial lecture in honour of the late Q.

Charles Bean, a former senator and chairman of the Progressive Labour Party.

A ten-minute video on the late Mr. Bean was screened by Mr. Butler.

Other groups represented included Care Computer Services, YouthNet, De Boys Club and the Family Learning Centre.