Alice Springs remembers 100+ women killed by domestic violence as rallies take place Australia-wide

With domestic violence ‘getting worse,’ Alice Springs – and Australia – have demanded the deaths of 117 women are not in vain. Watch the video and find out more.

Alice Springs – and Australia – are demanding action, after pausing to remember the 117 women who have been killed by domestic violence in the past 15 months.

Dozens gathered on Alice Springs courthouse lawns on Saturday for the She Matters: Stop Killing Women rally.

The rally ended with a minute silence for the 117 women killed by domestic violence in Australia since January 2024.

117 women killed by domestic violence have been remembered in the Alice Springs She Matters: Stop Killing Women rally. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Each woman was named, with a picture of them and a rose placed on the hill of the lawns.

The crowd solemnly watched on, and once all the names were read out and speeches finished they approached the memorial and paid their respects.

The rally was one of 14 taking place throughout the country on March 15.

The crowd at the She Matters: Stop Killing Women rally in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

All featured speakers, and speaking at Alice Springs was Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care chief executive Catherine Liddle, Women's Safety Services of Central Australia worker Rachael McGuirk, Tangentyere Council program co-ordinator youth family safety group Connie Shaw, and Our Watch head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy Regan Mitchell.

Tangentyere Council program co-ordinator youth family safety group Connie Shaw. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Ms Shaw told the crowd “the violence is getting worse”.

“We need politicians to listen to the people that’s on the ground doing the work to prevent domestic crime and sexual violence,” she said.

“Listen – support the solutions being put forward by our community, the people that are working on the ground every day to prevent domestic family and sexual violence.”

Ms McGuirk said the deaths were a political issue and that the government “continues to gaslight the sector” and is “diverting and withholding much needed funds”.

Women's Safety Services of Central Australia worker Rachael McGuirk. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“When we have a federal government that can send their personal condolences to sailors who died on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, but to only two of the 117 women we remember here today, then it is political,” she said.

Ms Liddle told the crowd 117 women had been killed since January 1, 2024.

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care chief executive Catherine Liddle. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“One death is too many,” she said.

“We know when we’re looking at places like Alice Springs and other regional areas, we see the impacts of what happens when we forget to invest in our families and when we ignore what it takes to create strong communities.”

Other rallies took place in Bendigo, Roeburn, Perth, Melbourne, and more.

Originally published as Alice Springs remembers 100+ women killed by domestic violence as rallies take place Australia-wide