The Upper House discussed the 57-page task force report on child abuse recently tabled in the House of Assembly -- which contains a total of 52 recommendations.

Senators generally agreed child abuse was a problem in Bermuda that needed quick and direct action.

Among the opinions expressed were: that recommendations needed to be listed in priority so they could be addressed most effectively; alcohol and drug abuse and the breakdown of the family were main culprits behind the state of affairs; more money would have to be funnelled toward fighting the problem; mandatory reporting of child abuse should be considered; that more accurate statistics needed to be kept; and, that the churches needed to get more involved in the battle. (See tomorrow's paper for a full report on the debate.)