The progression of women in the labour force is a contributing factor to the increasing levels of domestic violence, according to Faith Webster, acting executive director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs.

Mrs. Webster noted that, with more women advancing academically and professionally, this sometimes results in tension in the home.

"And you find that sometimes the man may not be working and the woman is in a higher position and that too can lead to abuse," she told The Gleaner, on Wednesday, following a women's consultation session, held at Stella Maris Pastoral Centre, St. Andrew.

"It is really alarming (the rate of domestic violence) and this is one of the reasons why we are working so hard at the Bureau of Women's Affairs to ensure that people recognise that we are putting forward a zero-tolerance (approach) about this issue," Mrs. Webster said.

From 1995 to 1998, reports of spousal abuse almost quadrupled.

Underreported

Woman Inc., a non-governmental organisation that counsels battered women, said it has jumped from 333 reports to over 1,150.

Those reports increased at the turn of the century with the most recent data showing reports standing at 1,246. But abuse is still underreported.

According to Woman Inc., for every report of abuse, there are seven others that are not reported.

Over the past week there have been at least four high profile cases of violence against women, which have either resulted in death or injury.

Michael Thorpe, a 47-year-old resident of Kew Road, Kingston 10, went into a jealous rage and hit his girlfriend over the head with a sledgehammer after accusing her of having an affair, last Friday.

On that same day a 40-year-old farmer of Derry district, in St. Mary, used a machete to stab his girlfriend to death.

On Monday, a 42-year-old St. James accountant was charged with the murder of his wife, whose body parts were recovered from a pit latrine and an incinerator.

On Tuesday, a policeman was hospitalised after reportedly shooting his girlfriend to death and then attempted to kill himself.

Tomorrow will be commemorated International Day for the Elimina-tion of Violence Against Women.