unknown male intruder on Wednesday.

And yesterday the news fuelled an outcry from many proponents of corporal punishment during afternoon radio talk shows. Several callers to the various programmes denounced the passage of an Act in the Senate which abolished corporal punishment.

According to the mother of the victim, she was awoken by the sound of a door opening just after 3 a.m. and shortly thereafter she heard the boy screaming from his bedroom.

She quickly got up and went to the room where she discovered an unknown male with the boy. The man began to flee and the mother wrestled with him, but he overpowered her and escaped.

Police were actively searching for the man who allegedly broke into the room through an insecure door and assaulted the boy.

Community shocked by sex attack The boy was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where a sexual assault was confirmed. Police are asking for anyone who has any information regarding the incident to contact the Community and Juvenile Services on 299-4477.

The news has prompted the Women's Resource Centre to remind the public "to be extra vigilant and not let their guard down over the holiday season''.

WRC president Penny Dill said: "I think there is a tendency over the holiday for people to let their guard down and we cannot afford to do that anymore.

Women must continue to be vigilant and to always know where their children are.

"The WRC is always concerned about sexual assaults and about the safety of women and children.

"Women and children are building blocks of the future of the Island.''