Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges men to call out disrespect as violence against women soars

Anthony Albanese says Australian men have to change their behaviour in the wake of a series of violent attacks on women across the country.

Anthony Albanese says men have to change their behaviour to stop the scourge of violence against women.

The Prime Minister has called on Australians to call out disrespectful behaviour, saying it is “unacceptable” that women can’t walk home from the train station or bus stop at night.

The comments come after the tragic murders of Samantha Murphy, Hannah McGuire and Rebecca Young in the Ballarat region, and the deadly stabbing of five women at Westfield Bondi Junction.

Anthony Albanese says men need to change their behaviour to stop the scourge of violence against women. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Violence against women is far too prevalent, whether it be in Ballarat, where I note there’s been a real community response of coming together and demonstrating against that violence,” Mr Albanese told ABC Melbourne.

“Men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of this violence and men, as a group, have to change their behaviour.

“We have to be prepared to call out behaviour that we see when it’s unacceptable … including the disrespect of women.

“Women shouldn’t feel like they have to change their behaviour, that they shouldn’t be able to walk home from the train station or the bus stop at night.”

Hannah McGuire was allegedly killed at the hands of her former partner. Picture: Facebook

Samantha Murphy was killed while on a morning jog. Picture: Supplied

Mr Albanese said everyone had a role to play to stop at least one woman a week being killed by male violence.

Asked about the violence near places of worship in Melbourne and Sydney, Mr Albanese said it had “no place” in our community.

“There’s no place for violent extremism. We’re a peace loving nation,” he said.

“One of the great strengths of Australia is our diversity, is the respect that we show each other, and I know that this is a time for us to unite as a community and as a country.”