Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched in multiple locations around Australia calling for more action against gendered violence and demanding the government declare a national emergency.
In Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, Bendigo, Geelong, Coffs Harbour, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra and the Sunshine Coast, advocacy groups joined protesters to condemn the recent spate of men’s violence.
Last week, West Australian police charged a 35-year old man with the murder of Erica Hay, a mother of four. The man, who police allege was known to Hay, has also been charged with one count of criminal damage by fire, after he set their Perth home on fire.
In regional Victoria last Tuesday, 49-year-old Emma Bates was found deceased in her home. Police have charged a 39-year-old man with multiple assault-related charges following her death.
A day earlier, 28-year-old Molly Ticehurst was killed at her home in regional New South Wales, allegedly at the hands of her former partner who was on bail at the time.
According to advocacy group Destroy the Joint’s project Counting Dead Women, Hay’s murder brings the total number of women violently killed since the start of the year up to 27.
In Canberra, thousands of people gathered on the lawn of Parliament House to call on the government to exert more action to end gendered violence.
Representatives from What Were You Wearing Australia, including key organiser Sarah Williams, were present to demand a national emergency declaration by the government. They had a number of demands, including a mandate that the media wait 48 hours before publishing a victim’s photograph, more funding towards grassroots NGOs, behaviour-changing and preventative initiatives, and victim-blaming prevention education for frontline workers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in attendance at the Canberra rally, speaking to the crowd after being heckled.
Albanese said the solution “isn’t just up to women. It’s up to men to change men’s behaviour as well, to stand up,” he said. “And yes, people do need to be made accountable and I’ll be accountable for what my government does.”
Albanese began his speech with the claim that the organisers told his office that they didn’t want him to speak — a claim which Williams, who was standing beside Albanese — immediately rejected. Williams said Albanese’s office had told her he would walk in the rally, but not speak.
‘It’s about men’
Speaking at a press conference after the rally in Melbourne, Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, said women have had enough rage over gender-based violence.
“We need to stop talking about women’s safety and get on and tackle men’s violence, that’s the issue here,” she said. “It’s about men — for some men — their ongoing pattern of violence against women and how women deserve the right to be safe in every space.”
At the Adelaide rally, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young echoed calls for the PM to declare violence against women an “urgent national emergency”.
“This is an epidemic that requires the full resources of government at all levels across all departments,” Senator Hanson-Young said. “We need everything we can get our hands on to stop this scourge and this epidemic.”
On Sunday, the social services minister, Amanda Rishworth described violence against women as a “national shame” and one which can be tackled by The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.
“Victim-survivors and many, many experts had input into that National Plan and so we believe we need to get on with the job,” she said, noting the government’s establishment of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner and Commission.
“That role is incredibly important in monitoring. We believe we just need to continue to have this sustained effort. We believe that is what will make the difference.”
“It is good that we’re having a national conversation about this but one life left lost to domestic and family violence is one life too many,” she continued.
“What I hope is this national conversation will mean that there is sustained attention and sustained resolve across all areas of society community to say enough is enough.”
Rishworth later spoke to the ABC, describing gendered violence as an issue which has “been pervasive throughout our community and through our society for too long”.
“It has to stop,” she said. “We have to all work together to put an end to violence against women and children. I would like to see both persistent and consistent attention to this and absolutely sustained effort in addressing what is a national shame.”
Albanese will convene a national cabinet on Wednesday morning to respond to the call for action against domestic violence. The meeting will involve state and territory leaders.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.