to protect them.

And wives would also stop housework in the 24-hour-long action aimed at making Bermuda a safer place after a number of serious attacks on women recently.

But the person behind the planned Day of Action is not a woman -- it is St.

George's common councillor Mr. Ross Smith.

Mr. Smith is calling on women's organisations and individual women to support his campaign which would climax in the strike some time in the New Year.

He is president of the St. George's School Parent Teacher Association, a representative of the Islands' middle schools and being considered by the Progressive Labour Party as a candidate for St. George's North in the elections.

But he said: "I am making this call as a worried father. I have a wife and a daughter, and I am concerned about their safety in the light of all these attacks on women.

"It is wrong when a woman cannot go about her business at night, or even during the day, without someone attacking her.'' Mr. Smith is demanding tougher sentences to be imposed for assault and sexual assault on women. He said he is amazed at how offenders are given lenient punishments for attacks which are traumatic for the victim.

He said: "I heard about one case where a man was allowed out on bail after sexually assaulting a woman.

"It is not a good environment when children are being brought up to believe that women should be treated with disrespect. That is why there are more attacks.

"A signal needs to be sent out to the Government and to men that this sort of behaviour should not be allowed. The Government has to wake up to these problems.'' On October 5, Mr. Smith wants all women and their supporters to turn on vehicle lights all day to show they want better protection.

He has then set a time scale for the Government to show a desire to create changes by November 5.

Then a coalition committee of women's group should meet the Government by December 25 to look at changes in laws and penalties.

Mr. Smith said: "My suggestion would be that if the Government failed to take action then all women should declare a day of solidarity by refusing to work for 24 hours.

"Women make up about 52 percent of the working population so a day like this would cause much disruption and show that they are serious.'' Interested groups or individuals can contact Mr. Smith at 292-6157 (w) or 297-1083 (h).

Mr. Ross Smith.