Providing support and guidance for families with out of control children could be more beneficial than drafting legislation to tackle behaviour, according to the head of a children's charity.

Sheelagh Cooper, of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, was reacting after Attorney General Kim Wilson outlined some of the details of the Parental Responsibility Bill 2010 in Wednesday's Senate sitting when she said the legislation, would make parents responsible for the actions of their children, will be tabled in the House of Assembly within weeks.

Mrs. Cooper said: "I am looking forward to seeing the particulars of the legislation to be able to better comment. That being said, we, at the Coalition, prefer models that fall within the principals of 'restorative justice' where the emphasis is on healing for the victim as well as the perpetrator, instead of more punitive sanctions.

"Our experience with families where the teenagers are out of control is that there are many unmet needs from all aspects and rather than putting punitive measures in place we ought to be focusing on providing support and guidance."

She continued: "These families are mostly headed by single mothers, who struggle financially and are overwhelmed by the stresses of having to choose between paying the rent or feeding their families. I can't help but wonder how it would really work.

"And one question of mine would be this, if someone is to be prosecuted would it be the struggling mother or the father who the child rarely sees and who does not pay child support?"

Mark Pettingill, of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, supported the proposed legislation but said the PLP scoffed at the idea when he raised it years ago.

"The first thing is I had to smile when I saw this coming on because I was the first one years ago who mentioned this legislation. It was the PLP who campaigned on how outrageous it was. I had suggested it and all these things are now coming home to roost.

"I think it's important. It's more proactive in the sense that it will cause parents, hopefully the ones who are not being responsible for their kids, to say now 'I'm on the hook'."

He continued: "This type of legislation was to say 'we appreciate it's difficult and it's hard for some parents'. 'We're the heads of the village and we're going to help you out'.

"I see it as being very workable. It would be nice if it was shared in advance so that we can ensure that we put our heads together and get it right the first time. That's my thoughts until I see it. I'm pleased to see it's being taken into consideration."

Martha Dismont ,of The Family Centre, said: "I think that the legislation will be very good legislation and should have all the right considerations in it. As soon as I have an opportunity to review it, I will be able to share some comments."