Thousands of victim-survivors and their supporters have marched through the streets of Melbourne calling for action on family violence.
On the eve of the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, marchers carried a staggering list of women killed at the hands of current or former domestic partners.
Decked out in orange, the colour used to represented a future free from gender-based violence, campaigners marched from the steps of Parliament House towards Carlton gardens.
The walk, now in its 15th year, marks the start of the global 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Chair of Respect Victoria, the agency which organises the march, Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon said all Victorians needed to work together to address harmful attitudes and behaviours that drive family violence.
“Family violence and violence against women is a national crisis,” she said.
“This violence is preventable.”
On average, every 10 days in Australia, a woman is killed by a partner or former partner.
Crime Statistics Agency figures for Victoria show the number of family violence incidents statewide rose 2.8 per cent in the past year.
Recognising the “significant source of harm” in Victorian communities, representatives from Victoria Police joined the march, saying frontline police attended one family violence incident every six minutes over the past year.
We’re standing in solidarity with victim survivors, organisations and community members to bring much-needed awareness to family violence and help prevent the crime from occurring,” acting executive director of Victoria Police’s Family Violence Command, Claire Waterman, said.
“Victoria Police sees the devastating impacts of family violence every day. Our participation in today’s walk and a number of events across the state highlights our commitment to support family violence victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account.”
Victorian Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward said the Allan Labor government is “unwavering” in its work to eradicate family violence.
“While one woman’s death from violence is one too many, in recent weeks we have seen headline after headline of women who have been killed, often at the hands of a current or former partner,” she said.
“The next 16 days are an opportunity to focus on the work that is happening all year round, to end family violence, to support victim-survivors and to change the attitudes that underpin gender-based violence.”