children, the Senate was told yesterday.

Government's Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte was speaking on the Domestic Violence Bill which will give greater protection to victims of violence.

Sen. Milligan-Whyte gave Senators some alarming figures which showed 500 domestic violence cases reported to Police last year -- and 76 percent of the cases were not covered by any legislation.

Last year 58 women and 59 children were given shelter by the Physical Abuse Centre and the Women's Resource Centre faced a 30 percent increase in cases last year over 1994.

"This Bill seeks to reduce those unacceptable figures,'' said Sen. Lynda Milligan-Whyte.

The Bill will allow someone other than the victim to apply for protection orders and that order would be given to the Police.

It also increases the length of time covered by a protection order from three months to 12 months.

"This Bill will go a long way towards decreasing the incidence of domestic violence and hopefully prevent domestic violence,'' said Sen. Milligan-Whyte.

PLP Senator Neletha Butterfield said the Bill was a step in the right direction, but she called for greater funding to be given to the Physical Abuse Centre and the Women's Resource Centre.

She also said there should be mandatory counselling for abusers and convicted people. "We are looking at this Bill to take us into the 21st Century.'' UBP Senator Gary Pitman said scores of women and children left their homes every year to escape domestic violence.

He said in one weekend Police were called to more than half-a-dozen cases of domestic violence involving wives, children and girlfriends.

"This Bill is long overdue and I endorse it 100 percent,'' said Sen. Pitman.

Independent Senator Alf Oughton said that at long last Bermuda was recognising that domestic violence was no different to other forms of violence.

He agreed with Sen. Butterfield about counselling for the abuser and the need for more funds for the Women's Resource Centre and Physical Abuse Centre being made available in the next budget.

Cultural and Community Affairs Minister, Senator Yvette Swan said she was pleased with the contents of the Bill but said many of the solutions lay in education.

"It is important that education should play a very important role in the reduction of domestic violence,'' she said.

UBP Senator Larry Scott said existing legislation like the Matrimonial Causes Act should be thrown out and redrawn.

He also said increasing desensitivity towards violence was one reason for the increase in domestic violence.

"There is a collective effort that must be made to make our community less violent,'' he said.

PLP Senator Milton Scott said he wanted Government to develop one policy towards domestic violence and bring every group involved under one umbrella.

He also suggested setting up a centre to research social data.

Independent Senator Noela Haycock said: "It must be the obligation of every member of this society to report violence and speak out on behalf of the victims who cannot or will not speak on their own behalf.

"Domestic violence cannot be tolerated and will not be tolerated. This Bill provides the tools to remove that tolerance.'' Senate President Senator Albert Jackson said: "My hope is the day will come when we can turn the pattern of behaviour so it does not exist any more so that instruments of law will no longer have any value in our society.'' Senators passed two amendments to the Bill -- meaning it will have to be re-debated in the House of Assembly when it returns next February before it cane become law.

Senators also passed the Bermuda Air Terminal (Fees) Amendment Regulations 1996, which increases passengers charges to airlines.