They are teaching Bermuda Government workers and the Police how to handle investigations.

"Investigation of child abuse is a complex and difficult field,'' said Social Services Director Mrs. Luelle Todd.

"It requires a very skilled response, and that means that people's skills need to be augmented and enhanced from time to time.

"Professionals involved in investigations require specialised training appropriate to their roles and responsibilities.'' The experts are from the Toronto-based Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Staff of the Department of Social Services and the Police have been enrolled in a six-month training programme.

Those taking part are likely to be involved in Government's child abuse investigation.

And, on successful completion of the course, they will become Certified Child Abuse Investigators.

Said Mrs. Todd: "Our training will reflect current practices in investigation and will enhance our skills so we can effectively respond to various age groups in different settings, including institutional.'' She added child abuse investigators needed considerable knowledge and skill.

They had to understand the "dynamics of abuse'' and how it affected a child's behaviour.

Also they had to be able to identify "physical and behavioural indicators'' connected with abuse.

And they needed to be skilled at interviewing young children to get accurate and valid information.

Mrs. Todd said training specialist Mr. Robert Croezen was on the Island conducting the first part of the course.

This focused on interviewing children and completing a "systematic analysis'' of abuse allegations.

Part two, starting in January, centred on understanding how children developed from pre-school age.

It involved classroom instruction, and the way children behaved among themselves.

Mrs. Todd said the final part would begin in March and concentrate on advanced interviewing skills.

"Training in child abuse must be ongoing if we are to stay current. To this end, we are planning additional training seminars in child abuse to build on what we have covered this year.''