Families of gang members were yesterday urged to reach out to churches and social workers for help getting their loved ones back on the right track.

Three mothers from the United Bermuda Party — MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Senator Jeanne Atherden and Senator Suzann Roberts-Holshouser — called a press conference to talk about the social side of the gang violence which has shocked residents in the past few months.

They spoke of the difficult decisions some families must make.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said: "To the women at the centre of troubled families, you need to be strong.

"You need to be brave. To save the life of your loved ones, things have to happen, change has to happen, and it is most probably up to you. It may not be easy.

"This is about getting your family onto the right path. We recognise there is no end to ingenuity if someone is bent on hiding illegal activity.

"However once you become aware, you cannot turn a blind eye — you cannot wish it away. You must take steps even if it means alerting the Police, either directly or through a third party.

"This may disrupt the family unit, but for your safety and that of your community, and to transition your family to a better path, it is a step that must be taken. We must not be enablers, but we must make those gut-wrenching decisions because it is the right thing to do.

"And be aware that you don't have to compromise your family's needs to do it. There are church groups, local organisations and social workers who can help you connect with the right agency to ensure your family's basic needs are met.

"So start thinking about it and know that there are people who can help you."

Sen. Roberts-Holshouser called for a call centre to be set up to advise families how to get help, and reminded everyone of the need to do their bit to help.

"There is the fear with some mothers of losing their children if they seek help because they are living rough — in a car, in a shack — so they don't seek help," she said.

"For the sake of getting these sisters and brothers into helping hands, we must reach out to guide them to churches and community support groups. Let's not turn a blind eye. Don't give in to the thought that it's not my problem, and walk away."

Sen. Atherden said: "Our message today is specifically to the mothers and grandmothers of Bermuda. Women have traditionally been the keepers of the family flame, the glue that keeps families together.

"We know you are upset by the shootings and the direction Bermuda appears to be going. We also know that many of you are living day-to-day with these problems in your own families.

"We know many of you don't know what to do with a son or a grandson who is moving away from the good values you've lived by, who has drifted into gangs.

"We understand. And we know that you may feel isolated or helpless or even fearful of taking actions that you know in your heart are the right ones to take."

Pointing to the many action groups which have emerged in recent weeks, Sen. Atherden said: "We encourage everyone who is feeling isolated, who is feeling threatened by crime, who is intimidated by the presence of gangs in their neighbourhoods or who, indeed, is fearful of their own children to go out and talk to the activists behind these community groups."

Anyone wanting advice can call Sen. Roberts-Holshouser on 799-3110.