the numbers to continue to climb.

The warning came as Health Minister Nelson Bascome revealed the first published figures of abuse in Bermuda. They show an overall increase in reported incidents of abuse of 11 percent from 1996 to 1998, with physical, sexual and emotional abuse all having more incidents.

During 1998, there were a total of 421 new referrals to the Department of Child and Family Services, with 55 percent of those being under ten years.

The referrals cover all types of abuse, from physical, sexual and emotional, to reports of neglect -- which reached 159 last year, 37 percent of the total.

And Glenda Edwards, supervisor of Family Services, said as new mandatory reporting of suspected incidents of abuse kicks in within the next year as part of the new Children's Act 1998, reports will rise.

Cases of sex abuse reports -- numbering 50 allegations in 1998 -- could well be the tip of the iceberg once professionals are forced to report concerns over abuse, she said.

"In a couple of years the picture will be alot clearer,'' she said. "I suspect it will be higher than that.'' Under the new legislation, those involved in the care of children -- teachers, clergy, nursery staff -- will have to report suspicion of abuse, or face six months in prison or a $3,000 fine.

"We are trying to get everybody to take this problem seriously,'' Ms Edwards said.

Luelle Todd, director of Family Services, added: "I think the statistics suggest there is more that we don't know. Mandatory reporting will be bringing more of that.

"It is likely we will see a sharp rise in these figures.'' Statistics show that beatings form the majority of physical abuse cases, with 25 percent of the victims being children under four and one death.

One third of sexual cases were aged under four, and girls under ten made up two thirds of the overall numbers. The perpetrators were usually males known to the victims. Children under ten formed 70 percent of neglect cases.

Mr. Bascome said abuse caused suffering in humans and was costly to society in terms of social services, foster care and ultimately prisons.

He said it was important that the community and Government fought together to stop abuse. And he called upon the public to assist in the fight by reporting suspicions of abuse.

A publicity campaign will promote awareness of the issue and professionals will receive education to help them spot possible abuse.

Fears of malicious or false reporting stemming from promotions would be outweighed by genuine concern for children, said Ms Edwards.

Child abuse a growing concern Mr. Bascome said 90 percent of child victims had assistance from Family Services. Of those referred, the age split was: Under four 29 percent; Five to nine years 26 percent; Ten to 14 years 31 percent; and Fifteen and over 14 percent.

By area in 1998, the total number of referrals was split between 99 in the east, 191 central and 131 in the west.

The biggest reason for placement last year was neglect (83 percent), followed by physical and sexual abuse and behaviour problems.

Grim numbers The figures below, which compare 1996 to 1998, show reported cases of child abuse before verification, followed by the verified figure in brackets: *** Physical abuse cases up from 40 to 81 (54); Sexual abuse from 63 to 50 (24); Neglect from 129 to 159 (111); Emotional abuse from eight to 17 (10); and Behaviour problem referrals from 45 to 63 (47).