One of the counselling services for young people on the Island is hoping to prevent children having children this year with its annual Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.

Every year, more than 100 young teenaged girls either visit the Women's Clinic or Teen Services because they are pregnant.

And, although the figures during the last three years have hardly fluctuated, mothers on the Island are becoming younger and younger. Last year, there were pregnant girls as young as 13 who went to Teen Services.

But there were also some that only sought help during the last stages, visiting the agency only when they reached seven and eight months pregnant.

For some young girls, they see it as the norm, following in the footsteps of their mothers and grandmothers before them.

However, for others, it is totally unexpected and a shock to the family.

Director of Government-funded Teen Services Michelle Johnson has already embarked on her education campaign this month, visiting secondary and middle schools across the Island to warn of the dangers of sex.

But she said parents must also warn their children of the hazards, instead of lulling themselves into believing that their youngsters were not involved in sexual activity.

And she has previously said that the average age of a child experimenting with sex was 13, sometimes even younger.

Waiting until students are 15 and 16 was too late, she said.

Mrs. Johnson said: "This campaign is all about getting young people to think about the consequences before making their choices, and to ask themselves whether they think they are ready for all of the things that sex could bring with it.

"It could be a sexually transmitted disease -- it could be pregnancy. We want to urge young people to abstain from sex. If they are active they should be using condoms.'' Last year, Teen Services saw 48 young pregnant girls. In 1999, that figure was 44, and in 1998, it was 51. However, there are some girls that will go overseas to deal with their pregnancy. So far this year, 16 teenagers expecting babies have reported to the agency. Mrs. Johnson said that number was average to low, however, traditionally, the busiest months of the year for girls reporting pregnancies are May and June.

She said: "It is difficult to know what will happen this year. I think the social trends affect pregnancy numbers, such as the music scene, what type of movies are out, and the media.

"We have not had a really traumatic or extreme case so far this year, such as somebody very, very young, or a girl leaving it very late to seek help, so hopefully, it will stay that way, but we will never know what is in store.'' But it will not only be girls that are targeted throughout this month's campaign -- boys will also be under the spotlight.

Mrs. Johnson said they had to be taught to be responsible and to understand the consequences that sex could bring them.

"We are trying to preach to boys, as well, that they should abstain,'' she added.

Teen Services is urging people to wear a green ribbon on May 23, to show their support for teen pregnancy prevention.