Hundreds of people are expected to take to the streets of major cities across Australia this weekend to honour the lives of women and children killed at the hands of their partners.
The gatherings aim to raise awareness and remember those lost to domestic, family, and sexual violence.
At least 11 women have been killed in the past fortnight, bringing the total number of women killed this year to 81.
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National Rally Collective, an organisation led by victim-survivors and community members, is behind this weekend’s rally.
Volunteer Team Lead Madison Hooker told 9news.com.au she expected hundreds of people to attend the “snap rally”, which will be held across major cities and regional centres.
At the Sydney gathering, Full Stop Australia’s chief executive will also speak.
Hooker felt the rally needed to happen, to not only call for change but remember the lives lost.
“People are just becoming more and more aware of how deep of a crisis this,” she said.
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“Last year in the whole of 2023, 74 women were killed, there’s already 74. It’s such a big number.
“I was making the banner for the rally and I’m writing each woman’s name on it and it just hit me like this is so many people. More people than I know personally and that I could name off the top of my head.
“It’s just absolutely devastating.”
Violence against women is experienced across all communities and cultures, with 39 per cent experiencing some sort of violence since the age of 15.
On average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner.
Over the weekend, Shirley So became the 81st woman killed, after he was found with stab wounds in a hotel room at the Pullman in Penrith
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A 53-year-old man has since been charged with her murder.
“These (women) are our teachers, our soccer coaches, our neighbours, people that you see regularly at the doctor’s office,” Hooker said.
“It’s so beyond heartbreaking. There’s no other word for it really.”
Hooker hopes that the rally over the weekend can be a safe space to reflect and remember the lives of the women and children killed.
A full list of locations and times can be found via the National Rally Collective social media pages.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
Help is available from the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
