Hundreds of Jamaican Seventh-day Adventists marched last week against violence toward women and children in Ocho Rios.

A young Jamaican holds a sign against violence at a recent Enditnow march attended by hundreds of Adventists from across the Caribbean nation. Statistics indicate that 1 million such children enter the sex trade worldwide each year. [photos: Nigel Coke] 

They came out in support of Enditnow, a global campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and advocate on behalf of woman and girls vulnerable to violence worldwide.

Human rights organizations estimate that one out of every three women globally will be beaten, raped or otherwise abused during her lifetime. The United Nations Children's Fund estimates that 1 million children, mostly girls, enter the sex trade each year.

"I am happy that we are here today and we are joining hands with all the other groups -- the government and other faith-based members -- and we are saying we are tired of it," said Lorraine Vernal, Women's and Children's Ministries director for the Adventist Church in Jamaica.

The Caribbean nation's government has pledged to organize events from November 25 to December 10 to help end violence against women and girls.

"You may say, 'What can I do?' You came out today, you are standing, you are listening, you may be watching via the Internet. When you hear violence perpetrating next door ... say something. You can do it anonymously," Vernal told supporters October 29.