Minors held up a long, computer print-out sheet covering 1,100 calls and told his audience, "`This is the extent of the problems we are having in Bermuda!' You could feel the shock reverberate through every person sitting there,'' he recalls.

Determined to educate the general public, the Bermuda Police Service, through its Community and Juvenile Department, is joining other agencies in the first Community Fair, opening today at City Hall and ties in with April's designation as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Chief Insp. Gertrude Barker, who heads the Community and Juvenile Department, says the Police will be displaying pamphlets and generally handing out advice at the Fair. "Child abuse is on the increase and our concern is to apprise the community of what we have to deal with. Much of this abuse is sexual and physical assault, but we also see many cases of mental abuse and neglect. We know,'' she adds, "that abuse is often at the root of problems arising with disruptive school children. Police also assist in this through the early intervention of our `REACH' officers who now work as part of the school system. In this department,'' she emphasises, "we deal with the end result of family violence and domestic issues. All too often, child abuse occurs as a result of domestic violence.'' Revealing that Police will shortly commence video-taping evidence from children, Ch. Insp. Barker emphasises that her Department works "hand in hand'' with the Social Services Department on all investigations and interviews. "In other crimes, where children may be victims, we refer them to Family Services for follow-up and counselling. It's imperative that we join together to combat some of the vicious crimes that are being committed on children.'' Ch. Insp. Barker confirms that violence is escalating in schools. "This is not only violence on each other, but on unsuspecting members of the public.

Many of the children we interview admit to having been abused at a younger age -- often by family members or very close friends of family members. I think violence occurs more today because of young people's inability to cope and the fact that they have no management mechanism -- their way of dealing with a `situation' is to strike out! Many of them feel let down, or excluded by the system and that's their way of getting back.'' Because of a general lack of parental guidance or discipline -- her department receives calls in which parents ask the Police to "lock up'' or "do something about my 13-year old'', Ch. Insp. Barker believes that sport remains one of the best hopes for young people. "We need better support systems and more young role models for these kids to interact with. Sport helps because you learn how to communicate and be part of a team -- and you can let off steam! Also the arts play a great part in developing finer qualities. The arts can open up new worlds and, again, teach them to work together.'' Sgt. Minors, of the `investigating arm' of the department, reveals that in 1997, 59 cases of child abuse were investigated, as opposed to around 40 the year before. "80 or 90 percent of those cases concerned adult perpetrators on children. And I believe,'' he adds grimly, "that for every 10 reported, there are 30 or 40 that are not reported. Abuse goes right across the board. It's a national concern -- or should be a national concern.'' Sgt. Minors, who has spent almost 20 years as a Police Officer, says that one of the most traumatic investigations is `serious sexual assault' -- "otherwise known as rape! Unfortunately,'' he continues, "one of the reasons for not reporting these kinds of crimes is that the perpetrator is often a relation or well known to the victim. They are frightened they won't be believed, or, in some cases, are terrified of the person who has assaulted them, so they prefer to suffer in silence. I do think, however, that young people today are becoming more willing to come forward and talk about these things. I believe that has a lot to do with the `helping' services and a greater awareness through education, seminars, printed matter and the media. I also think parents and guardians are becoming more vigilant for the same reasons and, quite often, that means -- thankfully -- in the attention of the police.'' Agreeing that his job can be depressing, Sgt. Minors says, "One really needs to be very mature in handling difficult cases and learn how to separate one's own personal feelings. That comes with time -- but, even so, there are occasions when it's hard. But you develop a kind of numbness, especially in cases of sexual abuse on children. There was one case, in particular, that absolutely disgusted me and I'll admit I had to dig deep within to stop myself from expressing my personal views. But it was a successful prosecution and the offender went to prison. My own mindset,'' he adds with a smile, "is to prevent a child becoming a statistic. If you can reach a child, help a child, there are some very delightful moments. Then, there's a real feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.''