LEBANESE WOMAN WAITS AT COUNCIL TO FIGHT VIOLENCE, 1997-07-07 (photo)

FOR RELEASE WITH STORY BC-LEBANON-WOMEN - A middle-aged Lebanese woman waits at the headquarters of the recently-founded Council to Fight Violence against Women in Beirut for the start of a listening session at which she will tell other women about violence she has experienced in her marriage. Women activists say violence against women is widespread at all levels of Lebanese society but police take no action when they receive complaints. The council, which was established in April, offers counsellors, a hotline for battered women and legal advice. It held its first open session in May at which a battered woman told of her experience. Picture Taken 29June97. FEATURE LEBANON