Rallies say more needs to be done to stop domestic, family violence

silence hides violence
'Silence hides violence' placard at the Gadigal Country/Sydney rally on April 18. Photo: Zebedee Parkes

What Were You Wearing Australia (WWYW) CEO Sarah Williams told Green Left Radio on April 10 that the national “No More” rallies over April 18 and 19 would “amplify survivors’ voices and push for policy changes”.  

Multiple cities took part in this annual protest to support the fight against domestic and family violence.

WWYW is a Indigenous, youth-led charity dedicated to supporting survivors and advocating for a safer world for marginalised people.

Latest data reveals family and domestic violence offence rates have risen by 8%. This is the highest rate of family and domestic violence recorded since the Australian Bureau of Statistics began tracking the data.

While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in 2024 that gender-based violence had reached a point of national emergency, Williams said not enough is being done.

“Labor’s response still falls short of what’s needed. We see time and time again some announcements of funding packages, but often they’re reactive and not sustained [at the level that] actually is required. And then there’s also a gap between policy announcements and what’s actually reaching frontline services and communities.”

Seventeen cities rallied for an end to domestic, family, sexual violence and femicide.

[For more information check out What Were You Wearing Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages, as well as the website.]

rally against mens violence
Gadigal Country/Sydney. Photo: Zebedee Parkes
adelaide rally against violence
Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide. Photo: Jordan Ellis
stop killing us
Gadigal Country/Sydney. Photo: Zebedee Parkes 
woman with megaphone
Gadigal Country/Sydney. Photo: Zebedee Parkes

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