Thousands call for action on domestic violence at ‘No More’ rally in Sydney
Thousands are calling for action on domestic violence in the wake of the Molly Ticehurst murder as demonstrators take to the streets in Sydney.
NSW
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After a year that has already resulted in the murders of 25 women to domestic violence, thousands have gathered in Sydney to say “No More”.
With demonstrations happening across the country people from across the state gathered at Belmore Park in Sydney and marched to Hyde Park.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that he will join the rally as part of the “No More” movement in Canberra on Sunday.
The rallies come after 28 year old mum Molly Ticehurst was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner at her Forbes home on Monday.
Carrying signs and wearing shirts with slogans such as “enough is enough” and “no excuse for abuse,” supporters arrived in droves at Belmore Park at 1pm on Saturday afternoon.
Throughout the crowd there were numerous tributes to the 27 victims of domestic violence this year alone.
Sydney’s rally is one of 17 rallies across Australia demanding greater action on a growing epidemic of violence against women.
Organised by advocacy group What Were You Wearing (WWYW), the first rallies were held in regional areas including Ballarat and Newcastle on Friday. Today rallies are being held in Sydney and Adelaide, and on Sunday people will gather in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Perth and regional areas including Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga and Orange.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy, were among the crowd and said that there needs to be stronger action.
“Women’s safety is critical, it is terrible this scourge of violence against women,” Mr Turnbull said.
“We need major change, this is about respect.”
“Not all disrespect to women leads to violence but sadly that’s where it begins.”
Mr Turnbull said that there needs to be education and called for legal reforms.
“We need a lot of cultural change and the legal system has to do a better job.”
Lucy Turnbull said that this year has been unacceptable in regards to women’s safety.
“This year has been a bad year for women’s safety, there has been way too much genocide,” she said.
Mrs Turnbull said that the good perception of someone is not a good enough defence.
“Men cannot use the good bloke defence,” Mrs Turnbull said.
“We need to make sure bail is not granted for those who pose a danger.”
“Some people can be a an absolute great bloke at work but a monster at home.”
As the crowd marched along Elizabeth St to Hyde Park chants of “no more violence, no more hate, we won’t take it anymore” rang out.
Victim survivor Hannah Major, 29, still felt PTSD from the Bondi stabbing two weeks ago, having to hide in the basement of the shopping center to escape the stabbing rampage.
“The number of women dying is exhausting and terrifying and that’s just the pointy end of the crisis,” Ms Major said.
“The are so many more women right now at home, stuck terrified and what scares me most is that the next woman to die is probably reading these headlines,” she said.
“I’m glad that people are here and I’m glad to see men here. I want to create open, safe spaces for men to join the conversation, because there’s so many good men out there, but they’re doing nothing and probably being scared to say the wrong thing or thinking it’s not affecting them or affecting people close to them - but it’s everywhere.”
“I really want to see increased budget not just for prevention and education but also for response and crisis support.”
Belle Wilkes, 25, said change must begin with men.
“I’m here because I’d like to go to the grocery store and feel safe,” Ms Wilkes said.
“We all have that experience not being able to walk home alone in the dark and it’s just been exacerbated, not being able to go out anywhere without feeling something might happen,” she said.
“We’ve been trying to make change, but really when until they (men) start holding each other accountable and the government puts out harder bail laws its not really worth it.”
Holly Croxford, 20, said she’s over women feeling unsafe for just existing.
“It feels very empowering knowing that this many people care, because it does feel that
no one cares these days - but seeing this it feels reassuring,” Ms Croxford said.
“Hopefully more men start holding other men accountable and realising they have a big role to play in this whole situation,” she said.
A special welcome to country by Aunty Yvonne Weldon welcomed the sea of people to Hyde Park.
Human rights lawyer and advocate Vanessa Turnbull spoke sternly to the crowd calling for urgent action.
“We need to create safe spaces, we need early intervention and support,” Ms Turnbull said.
Emotions were high as Ms Turnbull called for a moment of silence to remember the victims of gender based violence.
She said that something has to be done so the next generation is able to live in a safe environment.
“They deserve to grow up in a world where there is love and protection.”
Lilliee Greer lost her mother as a child due to domestic violence, spoke emotively to the crowd.
“She was too scared to leave the house...My mum’s life was stolen from her.”
A total of 32 flowers were laid at the front of Hyde Park in respect to the 25 women who have been victim of domestic violence this year, and the five who were killed at Bondi Westfield.
Bondi Westfield victim Jade Young’s mother Elizabeth, laid a flower down in memory of her daughter.
Olivia Hawkes, 24, said she was hoping for impactful change following the rally.
“I’m just disgusted with what’s been going on, it’s making me emotional just thinking about it,” Ms Hawkes said.
“I wake up every morning absolutely exhausted by what’s happening and I think just standing up and taking the opportunity to support women and get together for this is really important and impactful,” she said.
“This amount of people should hopefully have an impact and be felt around the nation.”
THIS IS A FEMICIDE
Taylor, 22, said its fantastic to see the turnout at the rally, but is disappointed it had to be held in the first place.
“This is a femicide, is what’s happening here in Australia,” Taylor said.
“We have a pervasive culture of toxic masculinity,” she said.
“Not just as a woman, but as a citizen of society it is important to show up in moments like this.”
Tanya, 23, said the rally is a first step towards fixing the crisis women are faced with.
“This is really the only way to show your true support for something like this,” she said.
“People can’t call a problem what it is - they need to be shown that with the amount of support, show the problem in the real light,” she said.
“It may be one community facing the problem, but it’s everyone’s problem to solve.”
Ella, 22, said it her first time attending a rally and showing her support for the cause.
“It is so important to show up for all sorts of women and for people who are affected by these issues, it really matters to me,” Ella said.
“It feels a little bittersweet, it feels a little bit somber, given what’s happened in the last two weeks, but it does feel empowering to be around like minded people,” she said.
Maia, 21, has urged for violence against women to stop.
“To see so many women get killed and for nothing to be done about its very disgusting,” Maia said.
“Real policy needs to be in place to prevent men...because most of the stuff is known men who have a history of violence, who go out and kill women.
“There needs to be more policy to monitor these perpetrators to protect vulnerable women.”
Matilda, 19, said the boiling point has been reached, and more must urgently be done.
“Women, queer people, allies have been screaming into a void for a while and we haven’t been listened to and the result is more violence, more death, more fear,” Matilda said.
“You can call for action, but to make change you have to be action, you have to do something,” she said.
“People are starting to take notice and understand our issues, but I’ll believe it (change) when I see it.”
Niall McDonnell, 23, turned up to the rally with a sign that read “real men stand with women.”
“It’s obviously not just a woman issue, it’s a men issue as well, and a societal issue at large,” Mr McDonnel said.
“Representation from men, women, non binary is very important,” he said.
“You gotta keep trying regardless if politicians fail to listen to what the people want.”
Premier Chris Minns, TV and media personality Abbie Chatfield and music star Keli Holiday from Peking Duk were among the marchers.
Anyone impacted by sexual domestic or family violence can access free, 24/7 and confidential trauma-specialist counselling support on 1800 385 578. This service is also available to support networks of victims including friends, family and professionals supporting them.
MORE TO COME
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Originally published as Thousands call for action on domestic violence at ‘No More’ rally in Sydney
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