The number of battered women seeking professional help since the death of Chena Trott two weeks' ago has sharply risen, an advocate group claimed last night.

Penny Dill, chairwoman of the Women's Resource Centre, said they had received a number of additional calls and visits from women who have decided to raise the alarm about their own situation.

"We have noticed quite an increase in people coming forward since Ms Trott's death who are obviously concerned about their own safety," said Ms Dill. "I think it has made a lot of people realise that they should take some form of action.

"But we have seen an increase in general this year in the number of domestic violence complaints we have received, which is very worrying. The number of men coming forward to complain about violent partners has also gone up.

"From what we are seeing, domestic violence is increasing, and violence in Bermuda is on the rise. People should come forward and report it. There is help out there."

Ms Dill said until the end of June this year, the resource centre had dealt with a total of 247 clients - 109 of them related to domestic violence.

Nine of those cases were reported by men.

In 2001, there were 270 clients, 128 of them related to violence in the home.

In 2000, 159 people of the total 347 who went to the centre, made complaints about a violent partner. In 1999, 146 of 318 were battering cases, and in 1998, one of the busiest years, there were 508 clients - 180 of them related to violence.

Ms Dill said the number of people seeking assistance had gone down from 1998, but was now on the rise again, and she said the number of violence complaints was also on the up.

"We always see a lot of domestic violence complaints around holiday times, and Cup Match this year was no different," added Ms Dill.

"I think people tend to drink more and violence flares, which is especially the case after Cup Match.

"But while normally it quietens down again, it has been very busy, and we think the death of Chena Trott has had something to do with that.

"Just this past Saturday, I personally took three calls related to domestic violence. I think people realise they are not alone, and that they want to do something about it before it is too late."