In wake of the Bondi Junction stabbings and the alarming surge in incidents of male violence, specifically against women, the Australian community, including activists and organisations, are uniting for a Nation wide protest, No More: A ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Rally Against Violence demanding politicians and change makers take action.
Recent statistics paint a grim picture: 29 women have died this year already in Australia at the hands of men, 2 in 5 women have experienced gendered violence since the age of 15 and 53% of women will experience sexual harassment in their lifetime with an estimated 97% of these cases going unreported.
Behind these figures lie countless stories of pain, trauma, and shattered lives.
Founder and CEO of What Were You Wearing Australia, Sarah Williams, decided to create this ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ event to call for more action.
“Enough is enough. And it has been enough for a long time. We need more action from politicians, and we need them to take these crimes more seriously. In 2012, two men were killed and it triggered a whole new law. Now, more than 60 women are being murdered every year and we are still lacking action.”
Ethan Fraser, long time volunteer and CFO at What Were You Wearing, expresses the importance of male support on this issue.
“When it’s us men who are the predominant perpetrators of violence, it shouldn’t be left to everyone else and the victims to address and fight the issue. If we aren’t willing to support and continue to deny there’s a problem, nothing will change.”
The rallies will run nationally across the 27th and 28th of April with 9 locations already confirmed, with more to be announced in coming days. The rally aims to raise awareness, advocate for change, and urges Australia to address the pressing issue of violence that disproportionately impacts women, queer, disabled and Indigenous people. Rallies will start with a march through prominent streets in each area, followed by speeches, performances and organised activities that aim to help survivor victims process the day, as well as providing a direct link to accessible services for victims.
We encourage Australia to join us in taking a stand against the epidemic of gendered violence we are currently experiencing.
Locations
Friday 26th April:
Ballaarat / Ballarat, Bridge Mall, 5pm
Mulubinba / Newcastle, Newcastle Museum, 6pm
Saturday 27th April
Tarntanya / Adelaide, Parliament House, 10:30am
Gadigal / Sydney, Belmore Park, 1pm
Sunday 28th April
Naarm / Melbourne, State Library, 10am
Dja Dja Wurrung / Bendigo, Roslind Park, 11am
Djilang / Geelong, Market Square Mall, Lt Malop St, 11am
Gumbaynggirr / Coffs Harbour, Coffs Jetty Foreshore, 11am
Gubbi Gubbi / Sunshine Coast, Foundation Square, 11am
Meeanjin / Brisbane, King George Square, 11am
Boorloo / Perth, Forest Pl, 12pm
Ngunnawal / Canberra, Garema Place, 2pm
