department, Dr. Edward Schultz, show that assaults doubled during the recession and have continued to climb.

More worrying is the increased viciousness of attacks including stabbings borne out by the number of homicides this year, he said.

Dr. Schutlz pointed to the recession as the turning point in the upsurge of violence in Bermuda.

Hospital figures show incidents of assault treated at the King Edward Memorial VII Hospital almost doubled in 1989, peaking in 1990 and 1991.

The statistics will be presented at a five-day "Blow the Whistle on Violence'' conference at Number One Shed today.

The conference will examine the impact of violence on the community and programmes tried elsewhere to tackle the problem.

Other speakers who are on the front line of violence in the community and its effects first hand include representatives from the Police force, Bermuda Union of Teachers, Child & Family Services and Physical Abuse Centre.

"This presentation is to document the extent of violence in the community and give some idea of the magnitude of the problem,'' said Dr. Schultz.

"It is a very significant problem. We are a small community and depend on tourism to a large extent. For our own mental health and for the economic health of the Country, we have to be very concerned.

"We feel there's a problem that has to be addressed and the sooner we find solutions to it the better,'' he said.

Another disturbing trend, he said, was increasing incidents of attacks on hospital staff.

KEMH introduced security measures five years ago after a group of youths took control of the Emergency Department. Since then, the hospital has witnessed a number attacks on patients and staff.

Hospital seeing more vicious assaults More recently at accident and assaults scenes, hostile crowds hurling threats and verbal abuse hamper ambulance drivers from administering treatment.

"Last year in particular there were assaults on ambulance men,'' said Dr.

Schultz. "It is a serious concern because it is detrimental to patient care that they be able to carry out their duties in the field.

"It is just another manifestation of violence in the community,'' he said.

The hospital is pressing for protective clothing and better communications with Police for ambulance drivers.

President of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, Mr. Mike Charles speaking on the impact of violence in the classroom said reports of violence in the classroom have escalated in recent years.

"We are very concerned about it. We had a meeting two weeks ago -- we haven't had such a large attendance in a long time. The concern is that nothing is being done and that if something is not done, someone will be seriously hurt.

"If we could do something about it there, these people would have the tools with which to diffuse their frustration,'' he said.

Mr. Charles criticised the Department of Education for not giving teachers time off to attend the conference.

"We were told some principals would be there but they work in offices not in the classrooms. They are not the ones on the front line,'' he said.

Committee for the Conference on Violence spokeswoman Ms Luelle Todd reported an average of 150 people are expected to attend the conference which begins today at 9 a.m.

Late registration will take place at 8:30 a.m. at Number One Shed Harbour Room.