The average age of a child becoming sexually active in Bermuda is 13, claims the director of an agency set up to help young people in trouble.

Michelle Johnson, head of the Government-funded agency charged with working with troubled teens -- especially pregnant girls -- told The Royal Gazette it is the norm on the Island for school-age youngsters to start experimenting with sex before they have even left middle school.

And although she said 13 was the average age for youngsters embarking on sex, some were even younger.

Every year, dozens of distressed schoolgirls pass through the doors of Teen Services seeking advice after having fallen pregnant, and Mrs. Johnson said she sees about 85 percent of pregnant teenagers on the Island.

Last year alone, she spoke to 45 young girls aged between 15 and 17 who were expecting babies. About 21 of those decided to terminate their pregnancies while the rest went full-term.

The year before the agency saw 51 pregnant girls in that age bracket.

In 1997, which was considered a particularly bad year, Mrs. Johnson had 50 pregnant girls aged 17 or younger referred to her. Of those, one girl was just 13-years-old and four were 15.

She said most of the girls she sees learn their lesson and, whether they have the pregnancy terminated or not, are careful enough never to need to return to the centre again.

However, there are those that need to go back to the Cedar Avenue site on several occasions.

And she said although the figure for pregnant teenagers has not really increased during the last ten years, the circumstances around them have.

Today she sees much more destruction in families than ten years ago.

Mrs. Johnson has embarked on a massive education programme around the Island in a bid to educate youngsters about the pitfalls of becoming sexually active too young.

With the help of pregnant teenagers, she hopes to persuade young girls and boys to take extra care to avoid becoming parents while still children.

The director said: "I can honestly say that the average age for children on the Island starting to experiment with sex is about 13. I have no hesitation in saying that at all. Some might be younger -- some might be older.

"That is about the average -- it is not rare. It is very young, but that is why it is important for us to target the middle schools with our education and prevention programme.

Continues on Page 7 See related stories, Page 7 Teen pregnancy a symptom of family and social chaos "If we waited until they were at senior school, it may be too late.'' Teen Services is there to help any young people with problems. It provides a school for young mothers and pregnant teenagers to continue their education, and is able to refer some homeless girls with babies to The Haven, which is a residential home that is run as a charity.

Last night, Acting Health Minister Milton Scott told The Royal Gazette : "I would not doubt that the information coming from Teen Services is accurate. My hunch is that its coming down in terms of live births.'' Senator Scott said educational programmes were increasingly aimed at male youths to ensure they are aware of their responsibility.

In addition to Teen Services, school programmes such as Family Life Education and the Skills for Living programme tackled sexuality.

Counselling, support and advice, said Mrs. Johnson, is what young pregnant girls often need the most.

Mrs. Johnson, herself a mother, said: "We work with both the girls and their parents, offering support and help where we can.

"Parents tend to feel very hurt and betrayed. I can see the destruction that can come and I try to remain objective.

"However, some young girls come in here with no support whatsoever. They have no financial or family support. Their living arrangements are already chaotic and they cannot see that having a baby will add to that.'' Despite working in Teen Services for ten years, on occasion she still feels anguish at what she sees and hears.

She said the worst scenario is a girl arriving at Teen Services for the first time seven months pregnant, having not told a soul about her predicament.

That, she said, happens quite often.

"Some kids come from homes where their parents are not there for them and where there are a lot of unsolved issues.'' However, she said it was important for youngsters to realise that getting pregnant can happen to any girl, no matter how bright she is or what kind of family she is from.

"I am not saying that all teen pregnancies have backgrounds like this. A lot of young girls are very bright, intelligent and from very good homes -- it can happen to anyone.'' "Quite often now teen pregnancy is another consequence of the social problems that exist in the family or community.'' And she said she saw her challenge as preventing the cycle from repeating itself by using education.

Tiny treasure: New mom Tina Raymor kisses month-old son Kawaje. Her baby sleeps in a nursery next door to the classroom where she studies.