The Family Centre believes Bermuda is currently under "siege" in the wake of another violent weekend and implored adults to "close ranks" around their children.

Martha Dismont, executive director of the charity, said the current spiralling gun violence — which has left 11 people dead in the last 15 months — is a result of ignoring social problems over the last two decade.

Over the weekend three men were shot. Two remain in hospital; Raymond Troy "Yankee" Rawlins died as a result of his injuries.

She added the problem is being perpetuated because many children must now grow up without their fathers. The Royal Gazette understands the gun murders have left approximately 20 children fatherless.

She said: "We all now realise that as a result of not addressing certain negative conditions for young people in the past 20 years, we currently have a situation that is somewhat out of control. It is going to take an extensive amount of Police work and strategic positioning to intervene with gang members, and we must pray that this can be done well. In the meantime, we must begin to better protect those who we can reach."

She said she was issuing her statement in support for the families currently grieving the loss of a father, son, uncle, and husband as a result of gang violence.

But she added that it was time for parents to pay closer attention to their children's lives and focus on preventive measures.

She encouraged parents to know who their children were hanging out with and where they were at all times. She also stressed the importance of modelling good behaviour to children and being consistent in removing privileges and perks when they misbehave.

"There are entirely too many parents who have given their children everything but the support that they need to stay out of harm's way," she said.

"Closing ranks around our children requires us to be better managers of our home, and ultimately more responsible parents.

"We should not have to have this legislated."

She added: "Agencies and organisations are working diligently to strengthen capacity to deal with the increasing demand for social services.

"However, more preventive services are needed, such as healthy after school youth programmes, parenting education, community centres, youth mentoring, and the development of community resources for each parish/neighbourhood so residents and parents have somewhere to turn for help immediately when they need it, in their neighbourhood. Parents need to be supported for their efforts.

"If we want to protect our children from the destructive influence of drugs, crime, gangs, and violence, we must strive to give them the positive attention they need and be the responsible, yet nurturing adults in their lives," she said.

"It is time to strengthen our relationships with our children and to help to save the future of this Country. They deserve it, and so do you."