particularly unacceptable because of its long-term effects. All too often children who are abused grow up to become abusers themselves, thus perpetuating the cycle from generation to generation.

The root causes of child abuse are many -- poverty, substance abuse, poor parenting skills, overcrowding, stress, lack of discipline -- but much can be done to correct and even prevent the problem.

One positive way is to have the community become actively involved in relieving the problem, and that is the aim of PARENTS (Parent Awareness Resources, Educating, Nurturing & Training Skills) which has designated April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"Please assist us to portray that we can be positive role models for other parents who are having difficulties parenting by promoting this worthwhile cause,'' chair Mrs. Eileen M. Brown urged.

PARENTS believes "all children deserve blue ribbon days, including loving hugs, warm homes, tender care, parents and adults who listen and promote self-esteem, give quality time, provide necessary food, shelter, clothing and medical attention'', and wants the community to mount a Blue Ribbon Community Campaign throughout this month.

"We are encouraging individuals, organisations and businesses to wear or display a blue ribbon. We also want them to carry out fun activities with children,'' she said.

Such activities need be neither complicated nor expensive, Mrs. Brown stressed. Taking children to a park to feed the ducks, building a birdhouse together, helping them bake cookies, joining in finger painting, and going picnicking are just some of the activities suggested.

Last week, PARENTS hosted a family picnic with fun activities in Victoria Park, and another event is planned for April 26 in King's Square, St. George's from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. when the public will be asked to bring a picnic supper and enjoy the entertainment.

Mrs. Brown maintains "all adults have been exposed to inappropiate caregiving'' in their lifetime, "be it through family, friends, associates or the media''.

"An occasional caning by a caregiver, together with a tirade of criticism, were thought of as appropriate measures to discipline and prevent children from becoming undesirable citizens,'' she said. "But we now realise that these methods only rob an individual of his self-worth, and contribute to the undesirable, self-destructive behaviours being displayed by a majority of the adult population.'' Noting that Dr. Susan Forward, author of Toxic Parents, maintained "many of the time-honoured techniques which have been passed down from generation to generation are, quite simply, bad advice masquerading as wisdom'', Mrs. Brown said today's adults can help prevent future generations from falling into similar pitfalls "by simply changing techniques of parenting''.

She acknowledged there was a heightened awareness of the results of abuse in all its forms -- verbal, emotional, physical, neglect -- in Bermuda society, as evidenced by the number of reported cases of such incidents.

"But it is a well known fact that, for every reported case of abuse, there are an equal number of unreported incidents,'' she warned.

During 1991 alone, 60 cases of physical abuse, 26 of sexual abuse, and 120 of potential neglect were referred to and acted upon by the Department of Social Services.

"The most prevalent form is emotional abuse -- the result of all three forms,'' Mrs. Brown stated. "Physical abuse normally occurs when parents attempt to control rebellious teenagers. Sexual abuse may be the result of the abuser's childhood experiences, and neglect is the result of the absence of any parenting practices.'' Despite the number of reported abuse cases, Mrs. Brown said the public had a tendency to overlook the unreported ones, which were much more alarming.

"Helping professionals estimate that approximately 500 cases of child abuse occur annually in Bermuda, which is outrageous for a population of 60,000 citizens,'' she said. "Figures like that tell us it is imperative that we make an effort to protect our youth by changing our attitudes and caregiving techniques.'' Mrs. Brown established PARENTS in Bermuda two years ago after she witnessed the results of inadequate child-rearing, and through a friend researched the work of Parents Anonymous in the United States.

Encouraged by various professionals and organisations, she formed a committee of parents and professionals "driven by the common goals of alleviating the prevalence of verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse of children by providing education and training for adults''.

"We advocate alternative positive methods of dealing with stressful situations,'' Mrs. Brown said.

"PARENTS understands the added stresses of parenting are passed on to the children. We assist in breaking the cycle of abuse by making caregivers aware of alternative methods of positively expressing anger and anxiety. "We deal with caregivers who are overwhelmed by their current method of child rearing.

Individuals who accept that their method is not working and who genuinely wish to change are invited to join our organisation.'' But she stressed that PARENTS was not a threat to other agencies, and referred individuals to them whenever necessary.

For further information on PARENTS telephone 295-1835.

SEEKING SUPPORT -- PARENTS' Mrs. Eileen Brown.