blasted calls for tougher laws against sex attackers.

The man said he emerged from Casemates still a danger to society, facing a constant battle to curb his sexual urges.

Treatment for psychological and mental illnesses were the way ahead, he claimed.

"Prison did nothing to help me,'' he added, blaming his problem on a nightmare sexual experience as a child.

The man, who spoke on condition of anonymity and who will be identified as Simon in this article, was lashing out at calls by St. George's common councillor Mr. Ross Smith for a clampdown on sex offenders.

Mr. Smith has planned a Day of Action among women to force Government to bring in laws to protect them.

He wants wives to stop housework for 24 hours, and women and their supporters to switch on vehicle lights all day.

The campaign would climax in a strike some time in the New Year.

"I am making this call as a worried father,'' said Mr. Smith, a possible Progressive Labour Party candidate for St. George's North.

"It is wrong when a woman cannot go about her business at night, or even during the day, without someone attacking her.'' Mr. Smith continued: "A signal needs to be sent out to the Government and to men that this sort of behaviour should not be allowed. The Government has to wake up to these problems.'' Mr. Smith said he was amazed at lenient punishments for sex assaults on women left traumatised by their experiences.

But yesterday his call for stiffer penalties was slammed by Simon, who served two prison sentences, totalling around 26 months.

They were imposed for child molestation, and other sexual offences.

Simon, who claims he studied child psychology for five years, said Mr. Smith displayed complete ignorance over ways to combat sex offences.

"I am quite appalled by what he said. He quite obviously has no understanding of the issue.'' Simon said tougher laws would make sex offenders worse, driving them to more wicked crimes.

"If they face tougher sentences, they will try to make sure there are no witnesses to what they've done.

"As well as raping a woman, for instance, they will kill her.'' Simon said his spells in Casemates had utterly failed to tackle his problem.

He received no treatment, emerging with his sexual tendencies intact.

"I have to cope with it as best I can. I have a high sexual drive, and I keep quite a few lady friends around me. The only way I can control myself is by keeping sexually active.'' Simon also said his high respect for women acted as a barrier.

"I think women are the most beautiful creations of God. If I didn't respect them I would be completely engulfed by my problem.'' Simon blamed his problem on a disturbing experience between the ages of nine and 11.

He said he was regularly sexually molested by a male family friend.

"It was my first sexual experience, and I can remember every detail of it,'' he said.

He added he had tried to psychoanalyse himself, and done a lot of "soul searching'' to come to terms with his problem.

"Government could spend a fraction of the cost of incarceration if they treated sexual offenders,'' he said. "These people are suffering from a sickness and need to be treated.'' Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness has pledged Government's commitment to treatment for sexual offenders.

Earlier this year a week-long workshop was held, as the first step in forming a fully-fledged treatment programme.