book aimed at people who deal with children.

"Child Maltreatment in Bermuda'' has been produced by the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

Containing a collection of papers which were delivered at the National Symposium on Children at Risk, at the Hamilton Princess last month, the book looks at strategies for detection, prevention, intervention and treatment.

It is edited by Coalition co-chairman Mrs. Sheelagh Cooper but contains chapters from most of the experts on child abuse on the Island.

Subjects include reviews of black and Bermudian families, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, incest and sexual abuse of children, substance abuse and stress.

Two of the most important sections of the book are on treatment and prevention of child abuse.

The size of the problem is explained in a chapter by Bermuda Police Youth Liaison Officer, Police Sergeant Gertie Barker. Sgt. Barker states that the problem in Bermuda is getting out of proportion.

She said: "In 1990-91 there were 1,429 cases reported to the Police -- that is three cases per day.

"In 1991-92 it did not drop at all. In fact it was almost identical. We could say that it is due to the recession, economic times, stress, or drug-related.'' Physical abuse cases involving children under 17 numbered 80 in 1991. Of those, 65 were females and 15 males.

Sgt. Barker said: "It shows that again the trend is that the female is the battering object and she seems to take the abuse all the time. We have to look at this very seriously, at how we are raising our male children.

"The males who are assaulted are usually young and so we are not talking about the 14-15 year-olds but under four. These are the children who will grow up to assault.'' The number of sexual assault cases on children aged 16 and under in 1990-91 was 219.

Sgt. Barker said: "The amount of young girls of 13 and 14, who are in school, pregnant, and who never come to the Police is unbelievable.

"Why the persons are being protected is unknown but it is time that the parents, teachers, counsellors, etc., say that they do not want their children abused in this manner and that they will take it to court.'' The number of arrests for the same period was 45, showing the great discrepancy between the number of cases and those prosecuted.

Paediatrician Dr. Peter Perinchief said that 60 percent of child abuse cases were neglect, 25 percent involved physical injury, 17 percent were emotional cases and six percent sexual abuse.

Quoting from authorities on child abuse, criminologist Ms Linda Laushway said: "Perpetrators of child sexual abuse cross every cultural, economic and social strata. The commonly held belief that abusers are faceless, seedy strangers lurking in the shadows has aided in the conspiracy of silence surrounding childhood sexual abuse.

"The majority of abusers hold regular jobs and are seen as upstanding members of communities. They are doctors, lawyers, clergy, day care workers, teachers, soccer coaches, club leaders, construction workers and members of the military to name a few.

"Estimates are that only 15 percent of sexual abuse is carried out by a stranger to the child.'' The book also includes chapters by Director of Social Services, Mr. Richard Voss, PLP Shadow Health and Social Services Minister, Mr. Nelson Bascome and Independent MP, Mr. Stuart Hayward.

At the end of the book are recommendations of the Caucus Group from the National Symposium on Children at Risk aimed at preventing child abuse before it starts.

The book, which is recommended to all those who deal with children, is available from Esprit on Reid Street, Hamilton, for $17. The money goes to the Coalition for the Protection of Children which is a non-profit making body.