The number of females who turned to the Women's Resource Centre for help more than doubled at the start of this year.

The organisation assisted 113 clients in the first three months of 2009; that number leapt to 260 over the same period in 2010.

October is recognised worldwide as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Statistics show that one in three women will experience it in their lifetime.

One in eight will experience it when they are pregnant.

In Bermuda, it's possible the only way out of an abusive relationship is with the assistance of the Women's Resource Centre and the Centre Against Abuse in Bermuda.

The Women's Resource Centre and the Centre Against Abuse believe that as violence in the community increases, now more than ever is the time to raise awareness.

Elaine Williams, executive director of the Women's Resource Centre, believes the number of clients her organisation has seen represent only a small portion of those affected.

According to Ms Williams many more fear coming forward.

"There is the fear of retaliation that increases with all this gang violence that is, we can't speak up or snitch with some of the women so they are not coming forward.

"We have talked about who the men are, but the women, sometimes they are mothers sometimes they are the 'baby mamas' and they are partners and it's natural if the men are getting killed that's not only going to affect them directly but [also] their children.

"They are dealing with a violent atmosphere as well. Some reach out for help but we are aware, statistically, the majority of them don't."

Eleven men have been killed in the last 15 months. The most recent was Troy "Yankee" Rawlins on August 9. He was shot dead at the entrance of the Spinning Wheel nightclub on Court Street.

Laurie Shiell, of the Centre Against Abuse, said her organisation has also seen an increase in clients.

As a result it has expanded the number of beds from 15 to 27, although Ms Shiell was unable to definitely link the increase to rising violence in the community.

"We can't really say what's going on [with the increase in numbers] because we are also giving more information sessions [and therefore may be attracting more clients]. We are getting more people.

"[What we do have to worry about] now is [the abusers] showing up with weapons of destruction. These women have seen what's going on. They have been abused and they want to get out.

"But they are told: I cannot let you out you know too much."

Ms Shiell hopes the seminars they host for companies, doctors and schools will enable them to better help persons they suspect are being abused.

The organisation has been working with OBGYNs in particular this autumn as the doctors represent the first line of defence in protecting pregnant women.

"We are working with companies. We do lunch and learning sessions where we talk about the signs of abuse. We work with the schools to talk about that too. We are working with doctors to educate them on how to screen for domestic abuse just as we screen for smoking and alcohol.

"We are starting with [the OBGYNs] because the women may experience [abuse] in pregnancy."

Ms Williams believes the only way for the Island to solve the domestic abuse problem is to target it with education.

"Awareness and education is our greatest tool. I think that we, as helping professionals, have to also come together and look at how we have traditionally provided services and come up with more creative ways to reach out to women that have this unique need that we are focused on.

"We can only do this collectively. We cannot do it alone because it is a community project."