By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter, krystel@nasguard.com

There are as many as 45 cases of child abuse per month in The Bahamas, according to psychologist Dr David Allen, who said that these "startling figures" are a major contributor to the country's burgeoning crime rate and the delinquency among the nation's youth.

Allen, who studies crime patterns, said only when there is a reduction in the country's child abuse statistics, will there be a concomitant reduction in the crime rate.

"Child abuse cases are running at about 45 per month -- verbal, physical and sexual. So our rates are pretty high. If we can reduce the child abuse rate we can reduce the crime rate in the future," said Allen.

He said child abuse also leads to other 'side effects' including discontent and delinquency. In worst case scenarios, abused children end up turning to violence, Allen added.

No official statistics have been released for 2007, but 2006 figures saw a dramatic increase in reported cases of sexual abuse. According to information compiled by the Department of Social Services' Children and Family Division, cases of sexual abuse jumped by nearly 90 percent from 2005.

In 2006, there were 164 reported cases of physical abuse, 15 cases of verbal abuse, eight cases of abandonment, 293 cases of neglect and 19 cases of incest. While in 2005, figures relating to the different forms of abuse of children, from January to December, showed there were 163 reported cases of physical abuse, eight cases of verbal abuse, 10 cases of abandonment, 230 cases of neglect and 19 cases of incest.

Meantime, Pastor Dave Burrows recently revealed that 20 percent of females and five percent males have been sexually abused as children in The Bahamas. He said today's youth represent the most abused generation, with the majority of their abusers being members of their family.

According to the youth pastor, the cycle of mistreatment is only likely to get worse, as abused children often repeat what they see at home. Children from abusive homes, he said, are 15 times more likely to be physically or sexually abusive.

"This is the reality today. The psychological nightmare and confusion that comes from domestic violence is often repeated by the abused. So the abused becomes the abuser," the pastor said during an anti-violence conference last month.

If this proves to be true, then the crime rate is likely to increase, as Allen noted that abused children are likely to turn to a life of crime. In fact, he said abused children have an 80 percent chance of committing violent crimes and murder in their teenage and adult lives.

"The burgeoning crime rate is linked to abuse and other domestic situations," he said. "If you look at it with relationship violence, domestic violence, child abuse and assault, the bottom line is that it is all about anger. Now the question is what is causing this anger. Anger comes from hurt. Hurt always precedes anger. Anger is just that hurt of the past coming through," he explained.

Dr. Allen said Bahamians must be careful in how they deal with their anger, because if left to fester, it can breed ugly results.

"Fighting crime is also fighting anger in your personal life," he added.

Allen said Bahamians must also learn to make the perceptual shift from anger to content.

He provided four basic steps to make the shift. Firstly, he said, take a time out and take deep breaths, say a prayer, think of someone that you really love, and think of something to be grateful for.

"If we all do that then The Bahamas will be changed overnight," Allen said.