STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho has joined forces with Hollywood A lister Reese Witherspoon as part of global efforts to end domestic violence.

The Legally Blonde star, who is heading up international campaign Four Ways to Speak Out to raise awareness of the issue, was the keynote speaker at a press conference at the House of Commons yesterday (Wednesday) organised by cosmetics giant Avon and national domestic violence charity Refuge and hosted by Labour MP Lynda.

Reese, who has been a global ambassador for Avon since 2007, led a discussion into the findings of new research which shows one in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes and that 12 women a week will die as a result.

The 33-year-old star told the packed press conference: "I have seen so many people suffer in silence.

"Last year I travelled to Brazil and I met a woman who showed me how important it is to speak out on this issue, she was beaten by her husband for many years and she struggled to have him brought to justice.

"In many countries and societies domestic violence is still a silent issue - according to a 2005 study well over half of women physically abused by their partners never went to the police or to a shelter and research suggests half all people in the UK wouldn't know where to go. We must all play a role in breaking this silence.

"Simply making this campaign a subject of conversation may help someone you know or someone you've never met."

And she urged victims to "reach out" - adding: "there's someone in your life ready to give you support and love."

Also speaking at the event was domestic violence survivor and TV star Wendy Turner Webster - who choked back tears after telling the world's media how she suffered abuse at the hands of her partner for five years.

Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge; Anna Segatti, president of Avon UK; and human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy QC were among the high-profile panel members.

The event marked the first time Oscar winner Reese, star of Walk the Line, has visited the UK to talk about the issue.

Lynda said afterwards: "It absolutely draws the attention of all the media and all the women who buy and sell Avon cosmetics, and it shows this issue affects everybody or could potential affect everybody.

"It could be a film star or the lady who makes the dinners at the school, domestic violence affects anybody at any stage and at any level.

"To have somebody so high profile is really important to raise the issue and make people aware of it."

The conference marked the mid-point in the 16 Days of Activism campaign - which began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

And it was held to highlight Avon UK and Refuge's joint campaign www.fourwaystospeakout.com - which is urging women to bring the issue out of the dark and into the limelight.

To find out more about the campaign check out the website above.