HARDLY a week goes by without shocking articles in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about violence against women: wives beaten by violent partners, teenagers "date raped", women murdered.

What we read about locally is, depressingly enough, just a small part of the national picture.

For example, surveys indicate that every year there are half a million domestic violence incidents alone in England and Wales.

The emergency services receive a call about domestic violence every 60 seconds and on average two women are killed every week.

Multiply that out internationally, add trafficking, so-called "honour crimes" and female infanticide and we have a truly horrifying picture of a world where women and girls are subjected to violence simply because they are female.

We can, however, do something about this. Amnesty International is running a "Stop Violence Against Women" campaign and as part of this campaign and to recognise International Human Rights Day on December 10.

Blackburn with Darwen Amnesty International group will be showing the firm "Lilya 4 Ever." This film looks at the disturbing issues of trafficking young girls from Eastern European countries to the West, we will also be asking people to sign cards calling for action to end rape in Sudan and "honour killings" in Iraq.

These events take place at 7pm on December 8 at the Cellar Bar on King Street and also 7pm on December 9 at the Friends' Meeting House, Paradise Lane, off King Street, Blackburn. Why not come along and help support the fight to Stop Violence Against Women?

IRENE RYAN, Blackburn with Darwen Amnesty International group, Friends' Meeting House, Paradise Lane, Blackburn.