Fight Back, the initiative launched on Wednesday by the Women's Resource Centre (WRC), will see nearly half a million dollars put towards print and radio advertisements in order to grab the attention of residents.

According to the charity, the scheme is a direct response to two factors: more than one-third of all the cases it handles involve attacks on women, with violence on the increase.

Police and the Opposition spoke out in support of the campaign and the devastating impact abuse has on society but were reluctant to agree that violence is on the increase.

Although it is understood Government is also behind the initiative, questions put to Permanent Secretary for Health, Kevin Monkman, were not answered by press time.

"Violence is not going up, it's that historically, it's one of the most hidden challenges our society faces," said Detective Sergeant Mark Clarke of the Police Juvenile Domestic Crimes Unit.

"The reality is that Bermuda has recognised the dynamics of domestic violence and child abuse and, since 1995, has four significant pieces of specific legislation ? the Domestic Violence Protection Act of 1997, the Stalking Act of 1997, the Child Act of 1998 and the Amendment to the Criminal Code (with reference to) sexual offences."

Their creation has instilled a greater confidence in victims, with far more willing to come forward and report abuse. An added boost to numbers has come through a specific section in the Child Act which makes it an offence for anyone in a position of trust who is aware of, but fails to report an abuse, the officer explained.

"Those pieces of significant legislation have made it easier to report and easier to prosecute and it's constantly evolving. Can we do more? Sure. And we are addressing that. I support any campaign that further informs the public. Information is the key. I support all that (the WRC) is trying to achieve."

Shadow Minister for Women's Affairs and Child and Family Services Suzann Roberts-Holshouser was equally enthusiastic about what the WRC is attempting to achieve, but pressed the Government to do more to stem domestic violence and physical abuse.

"One of the things that is imperative for the community to understand is that physical abuse is a non-accidental form of abuse," she said. "Most individuals want to convince themselves it was an accident. You often hear the phrase 'it will never happen again' repeated. You see that world-wide, but especially here where it is costly to live on your own. It's not that physical abuse is on the increase, it's that more cases are being reported."

Even more devastating is where abuse takes place in front of, or involves children. According to the United Bermuda Party MP, faced with such violence children are far more likely to act out in negative ways, twice as likely to be more physically aggressive and more likely to commit delinquent acts against property.

She reiterated a request she had made earlier on the floor of the House of Assembly, that Bermuda adapt the Quincy Model, a scheme which took the power to press charges away from the victim and placed the onus on the arresting officer.

"What happens world-wide, is that initially the victim will say they will press charges prior to going to court. But especially if they remain in the home or in the same environment, they will withdraw the case. If we can take it out of the victim's hands and place it into the appropriate hands, that will no longer happen, because the officer will follow through."

Of concern is the fact that domestic violence can lead to murder, Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser said.

"It's imperative to look at how we can help."

The Opposition MP lauded a new initiative by the Physical Abuse Centre which targets perpetrators, working with them to help them understand their behaviour and how they might correct it.

"It might be proactive for Government to take on such a programme," she said. "It would be far more beneficial than to throw them in jail."

Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser also took Government to task for not contributing more financially to organisations fighting society ills such as domestic violence and physical abuse.

"One of the things I have been fighting for is an increase in Government support. I found it interesting to see (that Health Minister Patrice Minors attended the press conference announcing the launch of the WRC campaign) when for the past ten years, the Physical Abuse Centre and the Women's Resource Centre have received a grant of $60,000 each. This year it was increased by $10,000.

"Millions of dollars have been spent on sport, I have nothing against supporting such activities but the child on the field playing cricket may actually need to financial support that's not going to the Physical Abuse Centre or the Women's Resource Centre. These organisations were put in place because of a need. With more funding, we might be able to put a child on the cricket field in a better state of mind. Both these organisations depend on contributions ? $70,000 will not cut it. The Government needs to do more to assist."

Police media spokesperson Dwayne Caines encouraged those in the community who find themselves in vulnerable positions to "contact the police and/or the Women's Resource Centre. They can also go to any police station and receive security advice or go to our web site, www.bermudapolice.bm, for specific information."