a sexual abuse case.

The Women's Resource Centre attacked the probation sentence given to a woman who abused a child over a period of years.

The article on the passage of the Criminal Code (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill contains a comment on the Supreme Court judgment which sentenced a female sexual offender to three years' probation.

It said: "We at the WRC were outraged at the non-custodial sentence and are currently circulating a petition demanding that Government takes a stronger stance against rapists and molesters.

"Specifically the petition asks that the Attorney General's Chambers should vigorously prosecute cases of sexual abuse, regardless of the gender of either the accused or the victim; that the court should send those convicted of sexual offences to prison; and that Government should fund and implement a sex offenders' treatment programme to rehabilitate those imprisoned for sex crimes.'' The WRC's first ever newsletter aims to involve more women in its work. It also plans to keep the community informed of the centre's programmes, activities and growth since its inception as the Rape Crisis Centre in 1987.

The newsletter looks at various legislation affecting women in Bermuda and worldwide.