Calls are flooding into the Women's Resource Centre since its hard-hitting Fight Back campaign against domestic violence was launched a month ago.

Attacks on women now make up more than one third of all cases handled by the Women's Resource Centre (WRC) with 113 last year ? up from 84 the year before.

The stark $450,000 Fight Back campaign features print and radio adverts bringing home the realities of domestic violence.

Asked about the response to the campaign Penny Dill, executive director, of the WRC said: "It's always busy but it's become busier since the campaign started, people are coming forward wanting to actually do something about their situation."

Cases recorded include harassment bordering on stalking all the way up to serious violence which have put victims in hospital.

The number of protection orders being issued has also risen. "We worked on three in a week recently compared to the usual one or two a month.

"The Police response since we started our campaign has stepped up somewhat. They automatically arrested someone the other day who had breached the order.

"No sooner was it issued then the person breached it by making contact."

The campaign was sparked by the realisation that not only were there more cases of violence ? the actual violence was getting worse.

"Even in the beginning of this year we have seen broken noses and broken fingers as a result of domestic violence incidents."

She said the campaign has taken awareness to a new level.

The media blitz will be toned down slightly during the holiday season and then be stepped up in September and October although more sponsorship will be needed.

Ms Dill hopes the campaign will reduce the stigma attached to reporting domestic violence and encourage more to rid it from their lives.

"In most cases our clients are reluctant to press charges for fear of repercussions ? of making it worse.

"The second reason is they don't want their name in the newspaper ? of everyone reading about their business.

"But if domestic situations are not reported people will think it doesn't happen."

WRC trainers consult with Police four times a year ? from rookies to seasoned cops ? on dealing with domestic violence but Police are tired of being continually called out by the same victims who are unwilling to press charges.

"We have talked about changes in legislation where the Police will be able to prosecute if the victim doesn't wish to do so. "In a few cases over the years the Police have done that.

"But in very cases they have actually made the victim ? although they haven't wanted to press charges ? come to court by saying 'I want you to say that in the court room' because they haven't been concerned their life could be at threat. "It happens very rarely."

In Massachusetts Police are allowed to prosecute in case of domestic violence even when the victim doesn't wish to proceed. Victims who don't co-operate can run the risk of being charged with making false accusations.

The policy is being looked at for application to Bermuda.

"But the dynamics here are very different. You are more like to get other family members involved in domestic violence incidents.

"In some cases you'll have the mother of the offender side with the victim and say 'I don't know why you hang around with my son, he's no good'."

But in other cases the whole family will gang up on the victim.

"It (different legislation) would help Police to feel more powerful if they were able to do something but at the end of the day we need to find a solution that works here in Bermuda for both sides and we need to do it soon.

"It's not going away and it's getting worse."

Asked why men were attacking women she said violence is seen as the norm for those who grew up in violent homes while in some cases there were anger management issues.

"They may not have had a family that was physically violent but they were abused in other ways ? maybe verbal, emotional or sexual abuse.

"In some cases the people just don't know how to deal with their frustrations so they hit out at the person they are closest to.

"In relationships in general if we have a frustration we tend to be more verbal to those we are close with than our colleagues at work."

Unless the violence at home was addressed it would escalate with partners attacking their victims at work said Ms Dill who said domestic violence victims often found themselves on a downward spiral.

Those catching hell at home can turn into distracted employees with poor concentration and a high absenteeism rate.

It can lead them to getting fired and having to take poorer paying jobs as diligent employers will not like the look of their job record.

"It will be a downward move so they find themselves working more than one job or longer hours in order to get by."

Unable to hold down a job it becomes extremely difficult to keep their home and kids.

"It snowballs. Once you get into that situation it's extremely hard to come out of it."

There have been situations where angry partners have come to the woman's work place and caused a scene and left.

But it has the potential for disaster, notes Ms Dill, who recalls the notorious case of a man who headed straight from Supreme Court on getting his divorce to his estranged partner's workplace at the Chamber of Commerce where he killed her.

"It's happened years ago and could happen again."

Fears of an unwanted visit at work prey on the minds of domestic violence victims, adding to their stress levels.

"In most cases women haven't told their employer about their problems ? for obvious reasons."

Caring employers need to take an interest but workplace gossip is not helpful. "There's only a few people who necessarily need to know about the situation." The last thing you need is for everybody to talk about the person.

"It is hard enough for them to walk up the steps here to get help."

Reducing the whole stigma was a big reason for the campaign, says Ms Dill, who notes that alcoholics now feel comfortable talking about their situations in a way they never did years ago.

"They need to feel comfortable enough to say I have a situation of violence in my home ? I am dealing with it but I may need your help, they need the employer to be receptive."

She said colleagues need to be supportive. "The major turn off in any case like this is to say 'You are stupid to stay with him'."

Condemnations did not help those with shattered self esteem.