An increasing divorce rate is threatening Bermudian society, according to Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler.

"Given its small population size, the fabric of Bermudian society is increasingly being put at risk as more and more marriages break down and end up in divorce," said Mr. Butler in a statement to the House of Assembly Friday. "What we need is healthy marriages because healthy marriages equal strong families."

To help combat divorce, the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has been sponsoring the Family Intimacy Centre, which organises marriage enhancement workshops and counselling.

"People come in all the time and tell us about them. We had heard all about their services," said Mr. Butler yesterday. "What we are emphasising is that we realise there is a problem and we are doing something about it."

Co-director of the Family Intimacy Centre, Saadia Bean, is currently involved in the counselling of over 60 people. Mrs. Bean founded the Family Intimacy Centre with her husband Detroy Bean in April of 2000, but this is the second year they have received Government funding.

"I think that divorce appears to be on the increase. More people are getting to the point where they're considering it," said Mrs. Bean.

According to Mrs. Bean, many couples seek divorce because they are unaware of the challenges married life brings.

"Life is moving so fast and there's a lot of pressure," she said. "Many believe that divorce is a relief of that pressure, but in my experience it doesn't provide that. On the backside of divorce, there are many problems."

According to both Mr. Butler and Mrs. Bean, children suffer the most.

"Our main concern is the impact on the children," said Mr. Butler. "Fathers can make a direct impact, and we feel that a lot of the problems we're seeing today is because there is no longer that daily contact."

"Children are being exposed to more than they can handle," said Mrs. Bean. "Sometimes even years later, they can't seem to find peace in their hearts. There's a lot at stake when divorce becomes an option.

"What you experience in your life, you take with you wherever you go."

The funding provided by the Ministry is being earmarked for helping to finance intense group work sessions, each one taking in ten to twelve couples to work on their communication.

"It allows them to facilitate their journey in a productive way," said Mrs. Bean. "What I know is that when people find their voice, the marriage has a chance of healing."

While there is a charge for the sessions, the Government support helps to alleviate the cost.

To help reduce the number of divorces, Mrs. Bean also encourages pre-marriage counselling for as many couples as possible.

"Everyone, in marriage, is going to experience challenges," said Mrs. Bean. "We try to teach them skills that they can utilise, so they will be equipped to handle it."

According to the Department of Statistics, the divorce rate on the Island was 3.3 in 2007, meaning that 3.3 out of 1000 Bermudians received a divorce that year. Comparatively, the divorce rate in the United States was 3.6.

The marriage rate for the same period was 13.2 in Bermuda and 7.5 in the United States, but Bermuda's marriage rate is inflated by visitors who choose to marry on the Island.