The United Bermuda Party has welcomed the Government's initiative to consider parental responsibility legislation.

Donte Hunt, Shadow Minister for Family Development, said: "There is a widespread view in the community that a breakdown in parental guidance and control is one of the underlying reasons for the problem of youth alienation that has manifested itself in shocking incidents of violence.

"It is hard to dismiss this view, given the fundamental role parents play in the lives of their children."

He said that last month, following the tragic murder of Kellon Hill, the UBP had said: "The time has come to draft parental responsibility legislation and to bring it forward for consideration by the Legislature… One suggested measure is to make parents liable for the whereabouts of their underage children at night."

With that in mind, Mr Hunt said: "I am pleased that the Attorney General has recently announced that government lawyers have been looking at overseas examples of parental responsibility legislation. We support this move because we believe something positive can emerge from it.

"The largely punitive objectives outlined in Sen. Wilson's statement impose heavy fines and prison time in extreme instances where parents fail to rein in children involved in anti-social behaviour detrimental to the community.

"It is our suggestion that the initiatives described by the Attorney General also include supportive preventative measures that offer parental assistance before fines and jail time."

According to Mr. Hunt there should be a primary focus on helping parents better manage their children through a wide-range of supervisory measures that include; identifying and helping families deal with the pressures that first brought them to the attention of authorities, implementing curfews, drug testing and counselling, whether they be for the children or the parents.

"Ultimately, we must provide parents with the necessary tools that give them a chance to step up to the plate before facing fines and imprisonment," he said.

"Clearly parenting is a challenge and many need a helping hand to get things right at home.

"While the new legislation contemplated by government should have its tough side, it also needs to empower authorities to work with parents and supervise their progress toward positive results."

The UBP MP said the issue affects everyone and, politics aside: "We must collectively work to formulate the best solutions to this problem which faces Bermuda."

He added: "We repeat our call to formulate a special task force which aids the government in bringing a disciplined focus to the issue, to define the problem, determine what needs to be done and develop and coordinate policies for unified action."