A turnout of around 50 people for a march through the streets of Hamilton last night to protest against violence against women and the fear of violence in general was lower than some had expected in light of recent events.

The ?Take Back the Night? walk came only three days after the gunshot murder of teenager Jason Lightbourne and a serious machete attack on another teenager.

One of those taking part in the walk was businessman Jim Butterfield who expressed surprise that more Bermuda residents had not taken to the streets to protest at rising levels of street violence.

?When I heard it was a protest against violence, I would have expected there to be 6,000 people here with all that has been going on lately. We are becoming a more violent society,? he said.

The Women?s Resource Centre organised the second annual night walk to highlight in particular violence against women and to ?encourage women to walk without fear of violence and to stand up for those who have become victims of domestic or sexual abuse?.

The participants were mostly women, although a handful of men also joined the rally.

Kerry Judd, walking with her mother Joanne, said she now drove a car because she did not feel safe riding a scooter or walking after dark. She said: ?I?m sick of having to always look over my shoulder and having to drive a car for my own safety. We should not have to be afraid to walk the streets. I?m too afraid to ride a moped after my friend almost got pulled of hers.?

Walk organiser Kathy Jansen, fundraising chair for the Women?s Resource Centre, said the idea to introduce a Take Back the Night walk in Bermuda had come from the publicity surrounding the trial last year of George McDonald (Messy) Liburd who was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Chena Trott after of a number of previous violent assaults on her.

?It is a symbolic statement to stop violence against women, focusing on the effects of a loss of freedom for women.

?By taking part in the walk people are uniting and showing solidarity. We are working to reclaim our open spaces,? said Ms Jansen.

While the turnout was low the protest walk did achieve its aim of raising awareness of the issue as crowds at the Harbour Nights event, and others along the circular route that included Court Street, Dundonald Street, Cedar Avenue, Church Street and Queen Street took note of the placards and chanting of the walkers, said Ms Jansen.

Amongst those who took part was UBP House leader John Barritt MP.

Butterfield and Vallis co-owner Mr. Butterfield said he would like to see more Bermudians protesting against violence. He said: ?The women have made a stand, but we all really have to start making a stand and a demonstration with all these reports of people being beaten up. Any form of protest is a good thing.?

He said the rally that followed the alleged attack on Portugal football supporter Rui Medeiros was an example of what should happen in a concerned population.

Police officer Kim Cowper gave strategic advice to women on how they can avoid becoming a victim of violence and what they can do if assaulted. ?We live in an increasingly violent society. The majority of crimes against women are crimes of opportunity,? she said.

Penny Dill, director of the Women?s Resource Centre, said: ?There were just a few of us tonight but we were very loud. This walk was not planned to fall so soon after the recent events of the weekend, but those events show how much crime is affecting the community.?