bullies tend to attack at home while most victims are too ashamed and too afraid to seek help. In this first installment of an indepth look at domestic violence on Bermuda, The Royal Gazette's Karen Smith speaks to frontline Police and social workers to see what hope the future may bring to those battered behind closed doors.

A specialised domestic violence unit may be established in Bermuda to deal with the growing number of physical abuse cases.

Talks have already been held to discuss the possibility of setting up a new centre, which would house specially-trained staff to deal with both physical and sexual abuse victims.

Police and other agencies on the Island are reporting a hike in the number of complaints from battered wives and husbands.

And they said the problem has reached such an extent, it warrants better facilities and financing.

The number of calls received by The Physical Abuse Centre on the Island has more than tripled since 1991 as more and more people feel able to speak about their torment. Last year alone the Centre handled more than 770 calls for help from mostly women who felt trapped in an abusive home or relationship.

The Women's Resource Centre has predicted that it will see a greater number of clients this year, in comparison to 1999, and said Bermuda should have proper facilities to deal with them.

In just the first six months of this year alone, 102 people sought legal advice from the women's centre in a desperate bid to stop the abuse.

The group's lawyer, Susan Moore-Williams, said she believed the total figure for this year would probably far outweigh the 207 clients she had throughout the whole of 1999.

In 1998, the figure was just 144.

"I am sure by the time we reach the end of the year our figures will be more than 207,'' said Mrs. Moore-Williams.

"We don't know whether the instances are going up or whether it is because more people are just reporting cases.

"But no matter what the reason, the figures certainly show us the extent of how much domestic abuse is going on out there. Bermuda needs to be able to cope with the problem and have the facilities to deal with it properly.'' Frontline workers see a need for `specialised' unit She said resources at the centre were so over-stretched, it was only able to afford one attorney to handle cases and offer legal advice, besides counsellors.

However, she said there was certainly demand to warrant at least one more.

She added: "I meet regularly with the other agencies, including Police, and I have already suggested that a specialised unit be set up dealing with domestic violence, where only Police officers with specific training work.

"Victims could go there knowing they were being seen by someone aware of the problems and sympathetic to their needs.

"At the moment we have officers with special training, but they may be moved on, for example into the Traffic Department, and the continuity is gone for that victim.'' The Physical Abuse Centre in Bermuda was also unable to ascertain whether or not the actual abuse was on the increase, or whether people just felt more able to report it.

But chairwoman June Augustus said she was not surprised by the hike in figures as violence in general was more prevalent now.

In 1991, its helpline received just 240 calls. Last year, it received a staggering 775.

In 1991, 49 adults were placed in the abuse centre's safe house. In 1999, it had increased to 77. Ms Augustus has backed the calls for the specialised unit and said it would take pressure off the charities.

She added: "We definitely think a unit should be set up on the Island. It would provide the specialised attention this issue requires and relieve a lot of stress from us.

"The Phsyical Abuse Centre feels that the occurrence of domestic violence in Bermuda has reached such an unacceptable level that the country, as a collective spirit, must decide to take a firm stand.'' A spokesman for Police said there had already been preliminary discussions with the agencies about the need for a specialised unit.

However, he said although Police agreed in principle with the initiative, the proposal was in the very early stages.

He said: "We have had talks about the feasibility of setting up a domestic violence intervention team, which would comprise our Police officers and representatives from other groups.

"Some other countries have them and our research shows that they certainly seem to have merit.

"There could be a need for one in Bermuda. One of the things we would have to address, however, is that we would need additional Police officers to man the unit, which would mean increasing our establishment number, but that is something we are looking at.

"The minor details have not been ironed out yet, but the issue is on the table.

"Violent crime is certainly one of our main focuses.'' *** In tomorrow's Royal Gazette , reporter Karen Smith looks at the need for enhanced Police training and changes in the way data about domestic violence is compiled and reported.

If you are now or have been a victim of domestic violence we'd like to hear your story. Call Karen Smith at 295-5881 (ex 260). Anonymity, if desired, is assured.

Physical Abuse Centre Statistics SAFE HOUSE HELPLINE Year Adults Children No of calls 1991 49 50 240 1992 64 55 310 1993 70 65 320 1994 68 81 353 1995 58 59 577 1996 41 84 612 1997 56 50 570 1998 57 63 667 1999 77 44 775