A high percentage of gang and drug problems are symptoms of dysfunctional families, according to ChildWatch campaigner Edward Tavares.Mr Tavares, who lobbies for the interests of children and fathers affected by broken homes, made an emotional plea for more action when he addressed a joint parliamentary select committee.He choked back tears as he told of one father who recently had to get his child psychological counselling after a protracted international custody battle.“We can help children and families to reconnect,” he stressed.The committee is looking into the issues of violent crime and gun violence.Mr Tavares believes that a shared parenting law in Bermuda would help.He explained it would make it easier for both parents to stay in a child's life following relationship breakdown.A shared parenting bill is due to be debated in the British House of Commons next summer and such legislation is already in place in Australia, France, Denmark, Belgium and a number of US states.“We need to review the whole issue,” he urged.The charity ChildWatch was launched 11 years ago.For more on Mr Tavares and his work, see Monday's edition of The Royal Gazette.