abusers is calling for a change in the law so that more victims of the crime can be identified.

Claiming that the incidents of both physical and sexual abuse are on the increase throughout the Island, Sgt. Clarke Minors of the Community and Services Department of the Police Service said that about two thirds of incidents of sexual abuse go unreported.

Speaking to an audience of concerned parents at Clearwater Middle School in St. David's last night, Sgt. Minors said: "We have probably investigated close to or maybe even more than 100 sexual assaults but the number of incidents not reported is probably three or four times that number.

"The law needs to be changed in relation to young, under-age girls who are being promiscuous because, if they want sex, they know that if they don't make a statement to us, nothing is going to happen.

"In cases like that, I don't think the young girl should be the complainant -- it's the Commissioner who should be able to be the complainant.

"I think the situation is going to get worse and a lot more cases are going to come out under mandatory reporting where, if you think a child is being abused, you have to report it.

"There are males and females roaming this Country and all they are concerned about is victimising a little child.'' Sgt. Minors was speaking a week after a 78-year-old man was given a four-year prison sentence for committing incest with his granddaughter.

"It makes you shudder when you look into the face of a child when they have been abused by someone they look up to,'' he said.

Sgt. Minors told how parents can spot if their children are having any problems that could be connected with them being abused.