unreported, plus the large number of "delinquent dads'' in Bermuda, the accusation is not surprising.

Are Bermudian men so bad? Probably no better or no worse than men in most similar countries but the truth is that being about "average'' is not good enough.

Violence would certainly seem to be on the increase here as elsewhere.

Certainly the use of weapons of all kinds, as opposed to bare hands, in the commission of violent acts, seems to be increasing. Violence may well be a fashion fostered by television programmes and films whose makers understand that you can sell sex, violence and a combination of both.

Reports of violence are certainly on the increase as is awareness of violence.

It may be that reports are increasing because there is more encouragement to report violence which is leading to less fear. Maybe people are making the decision not to tolerate violence.

The Royal Gazette article on June 8 itself indicates some improvement because it discusses a subject that had long been kept hidden in Bermudian society. It indicates a greater willingness on the part of women to speak out and address the subject.

Society should be saying that it is not going to tolerate abuse and domestic violence simply because it is "a family matter''. For far too long there has been great reluctance to "interfere'' in family violence or family abuse.

Violence is violence and we do not tolerate public violence, why should any society tolerate domestic violence? We would like to see those organisations which are making progress by increasing awareness of violence and creating a climate of opinion against violence, the Women's Advisory Council, the Physical Abuse Centre and the Women's Resource Centre, take a strong public stand against the abuse of drugs and alcohol which are major contributors to violence in all its manifestations. We can all campaign all we like against violence but a man who goes home drunk or high is not likely to remember the campaigning when he abuses his wife and children. Then, if he is reported and punished but not treated for drugs and alcohol he is very likely to repeat both the intoxication and the abuse.

We would also like to hear the opinion of these groups on the promotion of acceptance of violence by constant repetition in films and television. On the one hand the groups are pushing for reporting violence, awareness of violence and less tolerance of violent acts while on the other hand, people are virtually being educated and encouraged in violent acts which flicker into their homes via television and videos.

It is clear that in Bermuda we are doing a better job of awareness than we once did but we now need to confront as many of the causes of violence as we can identify. It must be possible to make major inroads on some general causes of violence like the abuse of drugs and alcohol and widespread broadcast promotion. Treating the symptoms is never the answer.