Thousands across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat gather to protest violence against women

Thousands of passionate protesters have taken to the streets in Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat to demand political action about the country’s family violence epidemic.

Thousands have gathered in cities across Victoria to protest gender-based violence and demand political action against the predominantly male-perpetrated crime.

Several hundred people braved the wind and the rain in Melbourne to hear moving testimonies from survivors, activists and Greens leader Adam Bandt.

“This is a problem of men’s violence,” Mr Bandt said.

“Men’s violence is men’s problem, and men need to change.”

The ‘No More’ rallies were organised in Melbourne, Ballarat, Wangaratta and Werribee by Indigenous non-profit “What Were You Wearing”.

At least 54 women have been killed by men in Australia this year, according to data collated by Femicide Watch, and thousands more have been victims of rape and other violent crimes.

The daughter of murder victim Katie Haley holds a picture of her mother during the No More Rally into violence against women. Picture: Ian Currie

About 74 women were killed nationwide by men across the whole of 2023, putting the country on track for a worse year for partner violence deaths this year.

The sister and father of Victorian woman Katie Haley, who was beaten to death by jealous partner Shane Robertson in 2018, gave a moving address to the Melbourne crowd as Ms Haley’s young daughter held a sign saying simply “My Mummy” alongside a picture of the slain woman.

“I see no urgency being taken by those in power,” Ms Haley’s sister Bianca Unwin said.

“We were notified that Shane Robertson, the coward who murdered my sister, was getting a sentence reduction of up to almost 14 months due to the hardship that he faced over the Covid lockdowns.

“How can significant change happen when our government and judiciary believe the rights of murderers, rapists, sex offenders and child sex offenders are more important than that of their victims?”

People march from the State Library during the No More Rally violence against women. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Haley’s family have started a petition calling for sentence reductions for violent offenders to be revoked.

Another key demand from protesters was for mandatory trauma-informed training for police forces and other first responders to be able to better respond to the needs of victims of traumatic crimes.

Mr Bandt also called for far more funding for frontline services to help women escape domestic violence situations.

Crowds braved the rain to turn out in force. Picture: Ian Currie

The 2024 federal budget was described as a “let-down” for family violence services, with a payment of $5000 those fleeing a violent partner deemed insufficient.

“At the moment, too many women are being turned away when they turn up and look for a place to go,” he said.

“There is absolutely no excuse, in a wealthy country like ours, for underfunding to the tune of just over half of what is needed (for) frontline services.

“Every frontline service in this country … should be fully funded so that every woman who fears violence has a place to go and can leave and be supported.”

Bella and Evie turn out for the rally in Ballarat. Picture: Tony Gough

The Melbourne rally ended with a flower-placing ceremony in honour of the women who have died at the hands of their partners so far this year.

About 40 people weathered the icy and wet conditions in Ballarat, the city which already this year has been the scene of the alleged murders of Samantha Murphy, Rebecca Young and Hannah McGuire.

That What Were You Wearing Rally in Ballarat. Picture: Tony Gough

Attendee Bella Charleson said maintaining pressure to try and solve the urgent problem was absolutely paramount.

“I think more than anything, women need to stop being treated as disposable,” she said.

“We need to stay consistently angry; we can’t just get angry every few years or once a decade.”

16 LGAs with the worst rates of family violence in Victoria were all in regional areas.