The speed with which campaigners assembled tens of thousands at rallies around the country last weekend revealed the strength of feeling about the domestic violence threat in Australia.

Weeks after a mentally ill man targeted women in a deadly knife rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction, and after nearly 30 women have died at the hands of a man since the start of 2024, political leaders felt the full force of the anger and urgency felt by women, and plenty of men.