survey probing child sex abuse.

The controversial survey on parent's relationships with their children has been branded outrageous. In it, people are bluntly urged to reveal if they have had sex with their youngsters.

They are also encouraged to disclose their sexual feelings next to their children. And they are asked to say whether they become aroused by fondling them.

The confidential section of the survey requires people to tick boxes indicating the frequency of the abuse. But, controversially, it contains no box for those claiming never to molest children.

Several people, however, voiced strong support for the survey, including Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness.

The survey has been distributed around local companies and businesses by the National Drug Strategy team.

Horrified staff at one Hamilton law firm ripped up copies of the survey in disgust.

One woman told The Royal Gazette : "I thought it was absolutely outrageous.

The whole of my floor acted in the same way. We just threw the copies in the trash.

"We all found the contents incredibly offensive. We are all mothers, and sickened by what we read.'' The woman, who did not wish to be named, said she was particularly sickened by the lay-out of the survey's section on "family matters''.

Parents are presented with 24 statements -- such as "I have had sexual intercourse with a child/children'' -- and then required to tick four boxes.

These are headed "almost always true'', "sometimes true'', "rarely true'', and "almost never true.'' "I found it appalling there was no column for those who never engage in abuse,'' said the woman. "It somehow assumed we were all abusers, which I found completely outrageous.

"Even though the survey is confidential and those who fill it remain anonymous, it doesn't make it any better.'' Another woman told The Royal Gazette : "I think this survey is completely disgusting. I can't believe anyone would distribute it. I also can't understand what it will achieve.

"It's difficult to believe people would fill it in honestly, in any case, which would make it completely pointless. I also find it puzzling why child abuse should automatically be linked to drugs.'' Last night Dr. Sandy Patton, from the National Drug Strategy interim committee, who helped compile the survey, declined to comment on the controversy.

"I have had a hard day and I would rather not say anything until tomorrow.'' Mr. Edness stressed the survey was entirely confidential and voluntary, and those who answered it would remain anonymous.

Mr. Edness said it was crucial to understand how drugs affected family life.

He also believed most people would fill the survey in honestly.

"There is bound to be a small percentage of those who don't. That is always the case. I hope people will appreciate the value of what the committee is trying to do.'' Mr. Edness said it was not for him to interfere with the survey's compilation.

That was a matter for people with technical expertise, he added.

Mr. Gerry Ardis, Collector of Customs, also strongly backed the survey, describing it as a "scientific instrument.''