‘Rage like your life depends on it’: Thousands of mourners march in memory of Isla Bell

The uncle of slain teenager Isla Bell has given an emotional speech at a family and gender-based violence rally, dropping to his knees and wailing in front of thousands of mourners.

The uncle of slain teenager Isla Bell has given an emotional speech at a family and gender-based violence rally, dropping to his knees and wailing in front of thousands of mourners.

A sea of orange marched from Birrarung Marr to Treasury Gardens about 11am on Friday following the deaths of Ms Bell and Bayswater woman Vicky Van Aken.

Protesters held up signs reading “women should be safe everywhere” and “get your politics off my body”.

Ms Bell’s remains were found at a waste facility in Dandenong on Tuesday after the 19-year-old was reported missing on October 10.

Marat Ganiev, 53, was charged with murder and Eyal Yaffe, 57, was charged with assisting murder.

Bayswater woman Ms Van Aken was allegedly stabbed to death last week.

Her neighbour, Milorad Zarik, was charged with murder.

Reading a speech on behalf of Ms Bell’s mother Justine Spokes, the teen’s uncle Kieran Dionysus said the family’s grief was “paralysing”.

Thousands of mourners have rallied in Melbourne for Isla Bell and Vicky Van Aken. Picture: Brooke Grebert-Craig

Ms Bell’s cousins Caitlin Brown and Matt Brown marched at the rally. Picture: Brendan Beckett

“I am horrified to now read the grizzly details of my beloved daughter’s murder,” he said.

“My grief is paralysing, and I can not function. Please give me and my darling Isla a voice and march in solidarity.”

During the speech, Mr Dionysus passionately shouted his sister’s words.

“The reality is we live in a world where men occupy the positions of power and are still making decisions for women whether they like it or not,” he said.

“A world where women are trafficked, go missing daily, and it barely raises an eyebrow, let alone a mention. When will men care enough about the sacred feminine and hold each other accountable?

“As women, we need to stop forgiving men for their mistakes when they haven’t asked for permission. Ask yourself, does this sound like consent?

“Be seen, be heard, and rage like your life depends on it.”

After the speech, Mr Dionysus dropped to his knees and cried in anguish over the loss of his niece.

Isla Bell’s distressed mother urged everyone to support The Walk Against Family Violence in Melbourne, hosted by Respect Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Ms Bell’s mother said she “can not function” after reading the police summary released in court which detailed her daughter’s distressing killing. Picture: Supplied

Wearing an orange Respect Victoria cap, he looked distressed as he was being hugged by event staff.

Ms Bell’s aunty Atalanti Dionysus said her niece knew her “fate was coming” moments before she died.

In a speech at the rally, Ms Dionysus said Ms Bell knew she was being filmed on CCTV when she was allegedly attacked.

“I want you to understand she moved her perpetrator from the lounge room … into the kitchen, where she knew there were cameras, and where his actions would finally be caught,” she said.

“She understood and knew what was happening, yet she stood strong.”

Ms Bell’s cousin Matt Brown told the Herald Sun she always saw the “best in the world”.

“We want Isla to be remembered as the bright, vibrant, caring person that she was,” she said.

“I’ve got so many fond memories of playing with Isla as a little girl.

“She was always playful, excited and looking to find the best in the world. It was a privilege to see her grow up.”

A woman holding a sign as mourners gathered in a powerful push to end family and gender-based violence. Picture: Brendan Beckett

A sea of orange flowed through the CBD from 11am on Friday to mourn the deaths of two Melbourne women, allegedly killed by men, while demanding “enough is enough”. Picture: Supplied

Respect Victoria chair Kate Fitz-Gibbon said Victorians were “exhausted” and “scared”, calling for stronger funding and action.

“We know that this violence is not inevitable, it’s preventable and we need actions, funding, commensurate with the scale of the crisis, if we are going to truly eliminate all forms of domestic, family and sexual violence,” she said.

“Victorian young women, all Victorians, are exhausted, some are scared, we can hold some hope that violence is a choice, and it is a choice that someone can choose to make and it is a choice they can choose not to make, and we have to keep holding that this is preventable and it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Ms Fitz-Gibbon said about 8500 Victorians, including men and boys, marched in solidarity.

“We’ve had the most horrific year and been reminded yet again this week in Victoria of the fatal impacts of this national crisis,” she said.