against the problem.

The parent would team up with child care professionals on the planned task force.

Members of the group will be announced shortly, possibly next week.

They will include, among others, doctors, social workers, and nursery school teaches.

Yesterday Health & Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said discussion on membership was drawing to a close.

"We have everything in place, and are attempting to finalise arrangements,'' he said.

"We are talking to a number of people. Our plans were interrupted by the election.

"But we now intend to get moving as quickly as possible.'' Mr. Edness thought a parent of a youngster sexually or physically abused could prove invaluable on the task force.

"It could be a mother or a father, I don't think it really matters,'' he said. "A parent whose child has been affected could provide good insight into the problems of abuse, and give a lot of valuable information.'' The idea was welcomed enthusiastically by Ms Sheilagh Cooper, co-chairwoman of the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

"The victims are the ones who can best speak to the issue,'' she said.

Ms Cooper applauded plans for a task force.

"I really welcome it. I am very happy to hear there is going to be a task force.

"I was hoping it would be set up before the election. I am very much looking forward to the terms of reference.'' Ms Cooper added: "I would be more than happy to participate in the process.

It's something the Coalition have an interest in. We have a great deal of expertise.'' Mr. Edness stressed the need for the task force, which could take up to six months to produce a report.

"We are dealing with an extremely important subject and we have to get a handle on it in the community.

"It's a fairly complex issue and other countries are facing the same problems.'' Mr. Edness said child abuse, for instance, was prevalent in North America, Europe, and even Australia.

"Abuse is rising in every country, and Government here is absolutely determined to do something about it.

"We are determined to come up with a solution to prevent it. We need to try to find some way of breaking the offenders' habits.'' Mr. Edness said the review would see whether abuse could be combatted through education.

And the role of Family Services would also come under scrutiny.

The legal headache of youngsters giving evidence in court was to be investigated as well, Mr. Edness said.

In addition, changes were also in the pipeline to rules regarding child sitters.

Mr. Edness said Government wanted the screening and licensing of sitters caring for children at home.

The changes were expected to come up in the next sitting of Parliament, which opens on Friday.

Government's review follows widespread concern over child abuse on the Island.

An inquiry had been launched by Police and social workers into abuse allegations at Paget's Nambour Day Nursery.

In September, Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards announced charges would not be laid against Nambour.

He said Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks, after studying a Police report on Nambour, had advised against a prosecution.

Some parents threatened a lawsuit over the controversy.