As a result these girls are robbed of their childhood and denied their rights to health, education and security.

This sad fact has not been lost on a group of passionate students from Wade High School.

In an effort to make a difference, the school's Human Rights Group has started a campaign, creating petitions for locals to sign.

Human Rights Group co-ordinator Kara Sergi said the students were hoping to get 5000 local signatures.

"We've signed online petitions and now the kids have made up their own," she said.

The group has thrown out a challenge to other local schools to get behind the campaign.

Seventeen-year-old Rachel Guest said she couldn't even begin to imagine the heartache these girls faced.

"I really hope everyone in Griffith will support us by signing our petitions. The more signatures we can get, the better we will be able to send a strong message," she said."

To find out more about the petitions contact the school.