according to the new president of the Physical Abuse Centre.

Mrs. Arleen A. Swan says the centre should concentrate on healing family wounds wherever possible.

Holding two masters degrees, one in human resources and the other in counselling, Mrs. Swan is well qualified for the job.

Currently she is a guidance counsellor with the Department of Education.

Previously she worked for the Ministry of Community and Social Services, in Toronto.

She said that centre is interested in educating the community on the devastating effects of abuse on the entire family, stressing that they try to heal the wounds rather than destroying the family unit.

She said: "Being the core of our society, when the family aches the community crumbles.

"The elevation or deterioration of the future of society will be determined by the manners and morals of the family.

"Home should be made all that the word implies, a place where the individual learns to love unconditionally. The happiness of the Bermudian society depends on the growth of this unconditional love.'' The centre points out that abuse can occur in many forms, including being slapped, kicked, punched, shoved, sexually molested or harmed bodily in any way.

The new secretary is Mr. Alfred Augustus and fund raiser is his wife Mrs. June Augustus. Both have been with the centre for many years.

Mrs. Dorothy-Ann Seaman is the treasurer after serving on the executive for five years. She is an employee of the Bank of Butterfield.

School counsellor, Mr. Richard Smith is the public relations officer. He has worked with spouse abuse shelters in Florida.

Mrs. Arleen A. Swan.