Criminal Code Amendment Act.

Mr. Reginald Burrows (PLP) said sex abuse problems had always been part of society.

Alcohol was often behind a lot of the problems, and society needed to control its supply.

He detected "heathenism'' and "barbaric'' behaviour on the Island.

It could be traced to the days of slavery, when masters would regularly rape servants.

Mr. Burrows expressed concern the legislation would be akin to a band-aid covering a cancer.

Mr. Eugene Blakeney (PLP) asked: "Why, heading towards the Year 2000, are we getting more sexual assaults instead of improving the matter? Is is because of drugs and alcohol? Unfortunately this is the situation that most of the world finds itself in.

"Young people over the last few decades have been exposed to all kinds of erotic literature and films. Is that something that is causing this problem to be perpetrated? This Act should curtail some of the acts of those perpetrators.'' Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons gave a rundown on how children are taught about sexual abuse. He said schemes begin in primary school and progress through secondary education to Bermuda College where students are taught about date rape.

Although it should be part of the school system to teach about sexual assault the family should be the "guiding light''. He said: "The family is the foundation for sexuality, but in some cases parts of the family are the real problem they are often the perpetrators of abuse towards children.'' Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans (PLP) praised Mrs. Bell for her emotional speech earlier.

Then she hit out against stiff sentences and called for a more psychological approach to sexual offenders.

"It's an insult for men to admit that unless we put 20 year sentences on the bills there would be no deterrent,'' she said. "The actions of the past will catch up with us in the future. We have some people who are recidivist. When they come out of prison they will go straight back in again.

"This is just burying your head in the sand when it comes to psychological changes. We must look to the long term for more advances and find out why people behave the way they do.

"Any deviant behaviour that does not fit the norm is castigated first before people try to understand it.'' The Hon. Harry Soares (UBP) said he felt a repugnance to all kinds of sexual assaults against women and children.

He supported stiffer sentences against sex offenders particularly people with AIDS who sexually assault people. Mr. Soares said that this was a "heinous crime''.

"People have the right to go about their business without being molested.

Every one of us has the right to support the victim. Every sexual assault does have long lasting and devastating effects on the victim.'' Mr. Edness , wrapping up, said the fact that so many people had wanted to discuss the bill augured well for the Government moving towards a solution.

"We all support the Opposition Leader Mr. Wade's comment that a measure of a caring society is the way it looks after its women and children and shows character in how it looks after its elderly.

"We must ensure that our women and children are looked after properly and are secure.'' Mr. Edness said that the way to break the "cycle of sexual abuse'' was to take it from Parliament into the community.

Legislation and harsh sentences would act as a deterrent against offenders. He said evidence in cases would act as a guideline to the courts in handing out the sentences.

"It does provide the judge with an opportunity to put away persons who mercilessly violate women and children,'' he said.

Replying to a call for mandatory treatment for victims of sexual offences, Mr.

Edness said that he could not legally impose treatment on someone who did not want it.

Concerning pornography and junk TV, Mr. Edness said: "It is a dilemma because on the other side of the coin we are accused of censorship.'' Mr. Edness said the bill should be passed before any improved rehabilitation programme is introduced or the Country will lose some of the benefits.

He said he would look into ways of making "stalking'' an offence. He said the offence would be proven if the intent of the person harassing his victim was discovered.