Measures to stem the rising tide of domestic violence in Bermuda could be implemented by Police "next week'' if the Force wanted, the Island's only court advocate for battered women said last night.

But US attorney Ms Andrea Busk said a host of social and professional obstacles would probably make the introduction of policies like the mandatory prosecution of accused batterers more gradual.

"I've had it said to me that you will never see mandatory prosecution in Bermuda because you would then see half of the top Policemen prosecuted,'' Ms Busk told a Women's Resource Centre forum on the issue. "This is no comment on recent events, but it is what I have heard.'' Last week, Assistant Police Commissioner Mr. Wayne Perinchief was criticised by WRC chairwoman Ms Toni Daniels over his comment that a distinction should be made between criminal matters and "welfare'' or domestic matters.

Last night, Ms Busk said traditional Police attitudes toward domestic violence had to be changed if victims were to be better protected.

She also said a lack of knowledge on the issue was characteristic of the Force as a whole.

"One of our biggest problems has been education,'' Ms Busk told the forum, which was held at Dellwood Primary School in Pembroke.

"When we first started our discussions with (Chief Insp.) Jonathan Smith, he had no idea what restraining orders were. He had never heard of them. And when they were first implemented, they were being violated left, right and centre.'' Added the lawyer, who is retained by the WRC to advise abused women of their legal rights and accompany them to court: "It's not a lack of (the Police) not wanting to help the situation -- it's a lack of education. But since the Rochelle West murder case, they have been getting motivated fast.'' Mrs. West, a 30-year-old receptionist at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, was stabbed to death in her workplace on January 5.

Her estranged husband, 26-year-old Rudolph Leroy West of St. George's, has been charged with premeditated murder.

Ms Busk said the WRC was trying to assist Police in their handling of domestic cases by educating cadets on "what they can and cannot do when they respond to a call'' and seeking to change legislation.

Both she and WRC board member Ms Shandra Simmons stressed that the Police's attitudes merely reflected Bermudian society's.

A Policeman -- one of two male officers at the forum -- agreed.

"It's real easy to say it's the Police's fault or whatever,'' he said.

"But the Police Force is made up of members of society and our society has a very lax and relaxed attitude toward the subject. I don't care how much training the Police have. Unless the attitude of the community changes, nothing will change.''