Latest news with #NoMore:NationalRallyAgainstViolence
Business Mayor
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Mayor
Rallies held around Australia against sexual violence, anger that crisis not properly addressed during election
Tens of thousands of people have marched across Australian capital cities and regional towns calling for determined action to end gendered and sexual violence. Advocates say the crisis was not properly addressed during the federal election campaign, with funding pledges 'barely even hitting the sides'. The No More: National Rally Against Violence saw protesters gather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and in many regional centres. Founder of support organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams, called for more preventive action. 'We need to be able to stop it before it starts,' she told a two-thousand-strong crowd on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday. 'We need more funding for primary prevention, more trauma-informed response training for police, increased crisis housing, bail law reform and uniform consent laws,' she later told AAP. People marching against sexual violence in Brisbane. Photograph: Darren England/AAP Similar rallies were held simultaneously in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Hundreds met in Sydney's Hyde Park while the regional centres of Newcastle and Wollongong saw a similar turnout, including the family and friends of Mackenzie Anderson, a young mother who was stabbed 78 times and brutally murdered by her former partner in 2022. Hundreds more rallied in Brisbane, carrying signs reading 'We weren't asking for it' and 'Weak laws cost lives.' In the lead-up to the rallies, organisers urged more men to attend and take accountability for violence against women. 'Men listen to men … we need more male role models out there,' Ms Williams said. Read More Trowers & Hamlins blames inflation for 'unchanged' profits Consent and healthy relationship education should be expanded to more schools with additional funding, and sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations, she said. Since 1 January last year, 128 women have been killed, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. Its founder Sherele Moody read aloud the names of the women as images of their faces were laid before Melbourne's Parliament steps. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion 'We're here because men keep killing us,' she said. 'Violence against women is primarily a male problem … it's not a women's problem to solve but it's women who are the ones who do the work.' Advocates say a government-run national domestic violence register is desperately needed to track the issue. The rallies also called for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. But Moody said ministers and leaders needed to sit down with frontline services to figure out what works. 'All the safety nets have holes in them and the funding barely even hits the sides,' she said.
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Men keep killing us': nationwide rallies plea for help
Tens of thousands of men, women and children have marched across Australian capital cities and regional towns calling for determined action to end gendered and sexual violence. Advocates say the issue was not properly addressed during the federal election campaign, with funding pledges "barely even hitting the sides". The No More: National Rally Against Violence saw attendees gather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and regional centres in between. Founder of support organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams, called for more preventative action. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she told a two-thousand-strong crowd on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday. "We need more funding for primary prevention, more trauma-informed response training for police, increased crisis housing, bail law reform and uniform consent laws," she later told AAP. Similar rallies played out almost simultaneously in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Hundreds met in Sydney's Hyde Park while the regional centres of Newcastle and Wollongong saw a similar turnout, including the family and friends of Mackenzie Anderson, a young mother who was stabbed 78 times and brutally murdered by her former partner in 2022. Hundreds more rallied in Brisbane, carrying signs reading "We weren't asking for it" and "Weak laws cost lives." Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who accused ex-colleague Bruce Lehrmann of raping her at Parliament House, was also at the rally with a sign reading: "25 women killed and still not an election issue." In the lead-up to the rallies, organisers urged more men to attend and take accountability over violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education should be expanded to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations, she said. A total of 128 women have been killed since January 1 last year, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. Its founder Sherele Moody read aloud the names of the women as images of their faces were laid before Melbourne's Parliament steps. "We're here because men keep killing us," she said. "Violence against women is primarily a male problem ... it's not a women's problem to solve but it's women who are the ones who do the work." Advocates say a government-run national domestic violence register is desperately needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies also called for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. But Ms Moody said ministers and leaders needed to sit down with frontline services to figure out what works. "All the safety nets have holes in them and the funding barely even hits the sides," she told AAP. Ms Williams also said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Tens of thousands of men, women and children have marched across Australian capital cities and regional towns calling for determined action to end gendered and sexual violence. Advocates say the issue was not properly addressed during the federal election campaign, with funding pledges "barely even hitting the sides". The No More: National Rally Against Violence saw attendees gather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and regional centres in between. Founder of support organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams, called for more preventative action. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she told a two-thousand-strong crowd on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday. "We need more funding for primary prevention, more trauma-informed response training for police, increased crisis housing, bail law reform and uniform consent laws," she later told AAP. Similar rallies played out almost simultaneously in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Hundreds met in Sydney's Hyde Park while the regional centres of Newcastle and Wollongong saw a similar turnout, including the family and friends of Mackenzie Anderson, a young mother who was stabbed 78 times and brutally murdered by her former partner in 2022. Hundreds more rallied in Brisbane, carrying signs reading "We weren't asking for it" and "Weak laws cost lives." Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who accused ex-colleague Bruce Lehrmann of raping her at Parliament House, was also at the rally with a sign reading: "25 women killed and still not an election issue." In the lead-up to the rallies, organisers urged more men to attend and take accountability over violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education should be expanded to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations, she said. A total of 128 women have been killed since January 1 last year, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. Its founder Sherele Moody read aloud the names of the women as images of their faces were laid before Melbourne's Parliament steps. "We're here because men keep killing us," she said. "Violence against women is primarily a male problem ... it's not a women's problem to solve but it's women who are the ones who do the work." Advocates say a government-run national domestic violence register is desperately needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies also called for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. But Ms Moody said ministers and leaders needed to sit down with frontline services to figure out what works. "All the safety nets have holes in them and the funding barely even hits the sides," she told AAP. Ms Williams also said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Tens of thousands of men, women and children have marched across Australian capital cities and regional towns calling for determined action to end gendered and sexual violence. Advocates say the issue was not properly addressed during the federal election campaign, with funding pledges "barely even hitting the sides". The No More: National Rally Against Violence saw attendees gather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and regional centres in between. Founder of support organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams, called for more preventative action. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she told a two-thousand-strong crowd on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday. "We need more funding for primary prevention, more trauma-informed response training for police, increased crisis housing, bail law reform and uniform consent laws," she later told AAP. Similar rallies played out almost simultaneously in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Hundreds met in Sydney's Hyde Park while the regional centres of Newcastle and Wollongong saw a similar turnout, including the family and friends of Mackenzie Anderson, a young mother who was stabbed 78 times and brutally murdered by her former partner in 2022. Hundreds more rallied in Brisbane, carrying signs reading "We weren't asking for it" and "Weak laws cost lives." Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who accused ex-colleague Bruce Lehrmann of raping her at Parliament House, was also at the rally with a sign reading: "25 women killed and still not an election issue." In the lead-up to the rallies, organisers urged more men to attend and take accountability over violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education should be expanded to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations, she said. A total of 128 women have been killed since January 1 last year, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. Its founder Sherele Moody read aloud the names of the women as images of their faces were laid before Melbourne's Parliament steps. "We're here because men keep killing us," she said. "Violence against women is primarily a male problem ... it's not a women's problem to solve but it's women who are the ones who do the work." Advocates say a government-run national domestic violence register is desperately needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies also called for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. But Ms Moody said ministers and leaders needed to sit down with frontline services to figure out what works. "All the safety nets have holes in them and the funding barely even hits the sides," she told AAP. Ms Williams also said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Tens of thousands of men, women and children have marched across Australian capital cities and regional towns calling for determined action to end gendered and sexual violence. Advocates say the issue was not properly addressed during the federal election campaign, with funding pledges "barely even hitting the sides". The No More: National Rally Against Violence saw attendees gather in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and regional centres in between. Founder of support organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams, called for more preventative action. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she told a two-thousand-strong crowd on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday. "We need more funding for primary prevention, more trauma-informed response training for police, increased crisis housing, bail law reform and uniform consent laws," she later told AAP. Similar rallies played out almost simultaneously in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Hundreds met in Sydney's Hyde Park while the regional centres of Newcastle and Wollongong saw a similar turnout, including the family and friends of Mackenzie Anderson, a young mother who was stabbed 78 times and brutally murdered by her former partner in 2022. Hundreds more rallied in Brisbane, carrying signs reading "We weren't asking for it" and "Weak laws cost lives." Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who accused ex-colleague Bruce Lehrmann of raping her at Parliament House, was also at the rally with a sign reading: "25 women killed and still not an election issue." In the lead-up to the rallies, organisers urged more men to attend and take accountability over violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education should be expanded to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations, she said. A total of 128 women have been killed since January 1 last year, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. Its founder Sherele Moody read aloud the names of the women as images of their faces were laid before Melbourne's Parliament steps. "We're here because men keep killing us," she said. "Violence against women is primarily a male problem ... it's not a women's problem to solve but it's women who are the ones who do the work." Advocates say a government-run national domestic violence register is desperately needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies also called for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. But Ms Moody said ministers and leaders needed to sit down with frontline services to figure out what works. "All the safety nets have holes in them and the funding barely even hits the sides," she told AAP. Ms Williams also said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘No More': Protests rise against DV scourge
Thousands of protesters are marching across streets all over the country in a demand for action to address violence against women. Twenty four women have allegedly been killed by violence in 2025 already, spurring grassroot organisation What Were You Wearing to organise the 'No More: National Rally Against Violence' action. Thousands have marched onto major cities in Australia in demand for action on violence against women. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia The protesters are demanding governments address violence against women and prevent future incidents. Activists, survivors, and family members of victims are calling for governments to provide more support for survivor-victims in every state and territory across the nation. The protesters marched from Belmore Park to Hyde Park in Sydney. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia Among the rally cries is a demand for more funding for frontline domestic violence services, increased crisis housing, and the development of better prevention and rehabilitation frameworks. The keystone demand of the rallies is to introduce mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders. Rallies are being held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and in regional centres. The rally comes as 24 women have already allegedly died from domestic violence related incidents this year. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia 'Women's rights are under attack in Australia. Women are being murdered at alarming rates and there has been silence from our government,' What Were You Wearing announced earlier this week. 'Domestic, family and sexual violence rates are continuing to increase. 'Our rallies last year saw real change. We know we can do it again.' This comes as the NSW government has committed another $25.9m to extend the Staying Home Leaving Violence over four years to all 128 LGAs in the state. Protesters are demanding governments to take hard line action. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia The program aims to fortify victims properties for their safety while forcing their abusers to move out. The program empowers local police to remove violent perpetrator from the home, while victim-survivors receive necessary support. This comes as the NSW state government has increased spending to fortify victims homes and kick abusers out. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia Security upgrades for their home to ensure victims safety, financial advice, safety planning and legal help are all services provided to impacted families. The program has already supported 6,500 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, 1293 of which were children subjected to abuse. The program provides services to support victim-survivors by providing protection and advice. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia 'Too often victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are forced to leave their homes in order to escape abuse,' NSW Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister Jodie Harrison said. 'Staying Home Leaving Violence helps the victim-survivor to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice and to keep important connections in their own community. 'This program aims to support women to live in safety and to maintain housing stability.
West Australian
10-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
‘No More': National rallies against violence taking place across Australia
Thousands of protesters are marching across streets all over the country in a demand for action to address violence against women. Twenty four women have allegedly been killed by violence in 2025 already, spurring grassroot organisation What Were You Wearing to organise the 'No More: National Rally Against Violence' action. The protesters are demanding governments address violence against women and prevent future incidents. Activists, survivors, and family members of victims are calling for governments to provide more support for survivor-victims in every state and territory across the nation. Among the rally cries is a demand for more funding for frontline domestic violence services, increased crisis housing, and the development of better prevention and rehabilitation frameworks. The keystone demand of the rallies is to introduce mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders. Rallies are being held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and in regional centres. 'Women's rights are under attack in Australia. Women are being murdered at alarming rates and there has been silence from our government,' What Were You Wearing announced earlier this week. 'Domestic, family and sexual violence rates are continuing to increase. 'Our rallies last year saw real change. We know we can do it again.' This comes as the NSW government has committed another $25.9m to extend the Staying Home Leaving Violence over four years to all 128 LGAs in the state. The program aims to fortify victims properties for their safety while forcing their abusers to move out. The program empowers local police to remove violent perpetrator from the home, while victim-survivors receive necessary support. Security upgrades for their home to ensure victims safety, financial advice, safety planning and legal help are all services provided to impacted families. The program has already supported 6,500 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, 1293 of which were children subjected to abuse. 'Too often victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are forced to leave their homes in order to escape abuse,' NSW Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister Jodie Harrison said. 'Staying Home Leaving Violence helps the victim-survivor to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice and to keep important connections in their own community. 'This program aims to support women to live in safety and to maintain housing stability.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Rallies call to stop gendered violence before it starts
Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in rallies across Australia calling for an end to gendered and sexual violence, urging preventative action instead of just reaction. It follows a federal election campaign when advocates say the issue was not given enough attention. The No More: National Rally Against Violence has been organised by What Were You Wearing, a survivor support organisation. Its founder, Sarah Williams, told AAP gendered and sexual violence needed to be treated proactively. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she said. "The rally isn't just for the women that are being murdered, it's the sexual violence survivors as well." Rallies are planned on Saturday in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Organisers urged men to attend to say "no more" to violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education needed expansion to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations. Ms Williams said her experience coaching boys soccer demonstrated the opportunities available. Twenty-four women and seven children have died from violence in 2025, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. There is no government-run national domestic violence register, which advocates say is needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies will also call for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. Ms Williams famously accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying at a Canberra rally in April 2024 when he claimed to have been denied a chance to speak. She said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. "And actually listen to the services and do what they're asking, not just come up with your own solutions," Ms Williams said. Affirmative consent laws introduced in some states should also be rolled out nationwide, she added. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in rallies across Australia calling for an end to gendered and sexual violence, urging preventative action instead of just reaction. It follows a federal election campaign when advocates say the issue was not given enough attention. The No More: National Rally Against Violence has been organised by What Were You Wearing, a survivor support organisation. Its founder, Sarah Williams, told AAP gendered and sexual violence needed to be treated proactively. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she said. "The rally isn't just for the women that are being murdered, it's the sexual violence survivors as well." Rallies are planned on Saturday in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Organisers urged men to attend to say "no more" to violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education needed expansion to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations. Ms Williams said her experience coaching boys soccer demonstrated the opportunities available. Twenty-four women and seven children have died from violence in 2025, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. There is no government-run national domestic violence register, which advocates say is needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies will also call for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. Ms Williams famously accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying at a Canberra rally in April 2024 when he claimed to have been denied a chance to speak. She said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. "And actually listen to the services and do what they're asking, not just come up with your own solutions," Ms Williams said. Affirmative consent laws introduced in some states should also be rolled out nationwide, she added. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in rallies across Australia calling for an end to gendered and sexual violence, urging preventative action instead of just reaction. It follows a federal election campaign when advocates say the issue was not given enough attention. The No More: National Rally Against Violence has been organised by What Were You Wearing, a survivor support organisation. Its founder, Sarah Williams, told AAP gendered and sexual violence needed to be treated proactively. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she said. "The rally isn't just for the women that are being murdered, it's the sexual violence survivors as well." Rallies are planned on Saturday in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Organisers urged men to attend to say "no more" to violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education needed expansion to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations. Ms Williams said her experience coaching boys soccer demonstrated the opportunities available. Twenty-four women and seven children have died from violence in 2025, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. There is no government-run national domestic violence register, which advocates say is needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies will also call for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. Ms Williams famously accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying at a Canberra rally in April 2024 when he claimed to have been denied a chance to speak. She said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. "And actually listen to the services and do what they're asking, not just come up with your own solutions," Ms Williams said. Affirmative consent laws introduced in some states should also be rolled out nationwide, she added. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in rallies across Australia calling for an end to gendered and sexual violence, urging preventative action instead of just reaction. It follows a federal election campaign when advocates say the issue was not given enough attention. The No More: National Rally Against Violence has been organised by What Were You Wearing, a survivor support organisation. Its founder, Sarah Williams, told AAP gendered and sexual violence needed to be treated proactively. "We need to be able to stop it before it starts," she said. "The rally isn't just for the women that are being murdered, it's the sexual violence survivors as well." Rallies are planned on Saturday in every state capital as well as several regional cities and towns. Organisers urged men to attend to say "no more" to violence against women. "Men listen to men ... we need more male role models out there," Ms Williams said. Consent and healthy relationship education needed expansion to more schools with additional funding, and community sporting clubs and major codes could also play a role in reaching different generations. Ms Williams said her experience coaching boys soccer demonstrated the opportunities available. Twenty-four women and seven children have died from violence in 2025, according to the Australian Femicide Watch website. There is no government-run national domestic violence register, which advocates say is needed to track the issue. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, marked each May, is an opportunity to raise community awareness of the impacts of violence and the support available to those affected. The rallies will also call for fully funded frontline domestic violence services, expanded crisis accommodation and increased funding for primary prevention programs. Mandatory trauma-informed training for all first responders should also be rolled out, organisers said. The re-elected Labor government previously promised to prevent domestic violence perpetrators from abusing tax and superannuation systems. It has also pledged to invest more funding to stop high-risk perpetrators through electronic monitoring. Ms Williams famously accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying at a Canberra rally in April 2024 when he claimed to have been denied a chance to speak. She said the government should engage with a wider range of organisations and advocates in the sector. "And actually listen to the services and do what they're asking, not just come up with your own solutions," Ms Williams said. Affirmative consent laws introduced in some states should also be rolled out nationwide, she added. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
