Child abuse cases have surged by more than 20 percent over the last four years and are expected to leap by another third under new reporting laws.

The news comes as Government launched Child Abuse Prevention Month which aims to remind the public of its moral responsibility to report cases of child abuse.

The campaign, which is called "There's no excuse for child abuse'', also reminds health, education, law enforcement and child care professionals of their legal responsibility to raise the alarm if they have concerns under the Children's Act which was implemented in January of this year.

In 1999, the Department of Child and Family Services responded to 58 cases of suspected physical abuse, 61 cases of alleged child sexual abuse and 179 suspected cases of neglect.

Child and Family Services Supervisor Glenda Edwards told Hamilton Rotarians yesterday: "In the last ten years we have had half a dozen fatalities of children mostly under the age of two years.

"In 1999, Family Services investigated 462 allegations against children, about three percent of our child population. We expect this to increase about one third with the new mandatory reporting laws.

"Approximately 35 to 40 percent of referrals in any one year are for neglect, 12 to 15 percent for physical abuse, approximately the same for sexual abuse and between six to eight percent for emotional abuse.

"The most common form of physical abuse in Bermuda is excessive beating.

Parents use a variety of implements to inflict excessive punishment -- karate belts, broomsticks, stinging nettles to name a few. Some children are deliberately burnt or bitten.

"Sexual abuse is also more prevalent in this community than people care to admit. Most of the identified victims are preteens and teenage girls. However, about one quarter of our referrals are on young boys.

"Abusers tend to be men in positions of trust -- such as step-fathers, mother's boyfriend or grandfathers. We are also identifying more adolescent perpetrators who victimise young children they are left to babysit such as cousins.

Child abuse on rise "Some families protect men who abuse children. Many of the men are in denial, often blaming their behaviour on drug or alcohol abuse and in some cases blaming the child for arousing them.

"It is the duty of every citizen to make it their business to ensure that children in Bermuda are effectively and humanely raised. As a community we must help vulnerable families by providing them with the necessary resources to deal with the challenges of parenting. Child abuse costs the community financially and in the loss of productive lives. It is a vicious cycle and can take many generations to break.

"It is often too late when the abused child becomes the adult drug addict, violent criminal or sex offender. Early detection and intervention can stop the cycle of abuse.'' Ms Edwards said the new Children's Act allowed intervention before there is actual harm to a child while mandatory reporting would increase protection.

Those identified as mandatory reporters can end up with fines of $3,000 or six months in prison if they fail to report child abuse. Mandatory reporters do not need hard evidence of abuse, only suspicion which is then investigated by social workers. And reporters' identities are kept confidential.

They cannot be sued if their report is unsubstantiated. They can only face legal action if their report is both false and malicious. However Ms Edwards pointed out that Family Services was not obsessed with taking children away from their parents. She said: "Many of the cases we investigate do not get prosecuted nor are the children removed from their parents.

"Out of 462 cases last year, less than 40 children were taken away from their parents. Some were placed with relatives, others with foster parents.'' She added: "Any decision about removal of children from parents/guardians has to be made by the Family Court.'' The court can order that the parents co-operate with an assessment and it can order the removal of the alleged perpetrator from the home. Child abusers will be placed on a register, added Ms Edwards. She said: "Employers or organisations who hire people to work with children can request prospective employees to sign consent forms to have the register checked.'' However only convictions against children after January, 2000, will be included on the register.

To report a case of child abuse call the Family Service number 239-KIDS between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. If you are calling outside of hours call 911 and the Police will connect you with a social worker.

1999: THE FACTS 58 cases of suspected physical abuse 61 cases of alleged child sexual abuse 179 suspected cases of neglect