Residents are divided on the Physical Abuse Centre's appeal to the public to open their homes to abuse victims.

An informal poll by The Royal Gazette on the streets of Hamilton showed that many Bermudians have not lost the spirit of compassion.

They were asked what they would do if they were faced with the choice of whether to give an abuse victim a place in their homes or not -- an idea recently suggested by the Centre's chairwoman June Augustus.

Nurse Carol Saunders answered: "Yes, I would definitely try to help someone in need.'' When asked if she would at all be discouraged by the fact that the victim may be sought out by his or her former partner, Ms Saunders replied that it did not worry her.

"If that happened,'' she said, "I would not only try to help the victim but the person who inflicted the abuse as well.'' She added: "We are all children of the King and we all need to help each other.'' Gavaska Lodge also replied: "Yes.'' "I wouldn't hesitate to help someone get back on their feet,'' said Mr.

Lodge, a tow boat pilot.

But housewife Ethel Barnes disagreed.

She said: "Situations such as that should be handled by the proper people, by people who have qualifications in the field.'' However, Torie Hollis said taking in a victim of abuse would be "the right thing to do''.

When asked if he would be worried by the fact that former partners of the victims may come looking for them, the architecture student replied: "Everything will work out as long as you trust in the Lord.'' Laura Franklin, a nurse, said she would definitely consider giving a place in her home to a victim of abuse.

She said she believed it was everyone's duty to "help your fellow man''. But she noted that her decision would depend on individual circumstances.

Air conditioning technician Corey Burgess agreed.

"You can't really trust anyone these days,'' he said.

But he stressed he would say "yes'' if he knew the person he was allowing to stay.

Non-Bermudian Ian McCulloch said he would do it if he was back at home in Scotland, but not while he was a guest worker in Bermuda.

"As a temporary resident, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to do it here,'' he said.

Friends Keisha Burgess and Shervona Christopher both agreed that they would help an abuse victim if they needed somewhere to live.

Ms Burgess, who is working as a summer student at Belco, said she thought it was "the right thing to do''.

Coordinator Ms Christopher said she hoped that, if the situation arose, she would be able to give the victim emotional support also.

Lindsey Neil, a secretary, said she would also do it, but added: "If I did it, I would want it to be organised properly.'' Looking at all the answers as a whole, one thing that many people said would affect their decision was whether they had space in their houses for someone else.

One person, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: "Most people put a lot of work into owning their homes and I'm afraid I wouldn't want to share my house with a stranger.'' Carol Saunders Ian McCulloch Torie Hollis Lindsey Neil