It has been an enormous week in the movement to end violence against women.
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And if there's one thing that is abundantly clear, we are angry. Something has to change.
All around Australia over the weekend, thousands of people gathered at "no more" rallies, calling for change. But this is not the end of this narrative, since those rallies, two more women have died due to violence, bringing the total tally to 29 for this year. It is just too much.
But what happens now? We've shown we're angry, we've agreed something has to change.
Organiser of the "No More" rally in Orange, Marea Ruddy, has talked about the culture shift we need to see.
"We need to call out bad behaviour. Men need to be scared that they will be called out and the people around them will not stand for it. Stop closing the blinds," she said.
"More funding needs to go to grassroots organisations who are working to change this behaviour and change the culture so our young boys don't grow into violent men and our men can learn to do better."
"Violent offenders should be locked up without bail and forced to rehabilitate," she said.
Education has been a running theme in the feedback I've heard from The Catch-Up community. When I asked what you'd like to see, a lot of people had thoughts around education.
"Respectful relationships to be taught in high school health classes," TCU journalist Reidun Bernsten said.
Orange artist Sophie Corks said a dramatic change of culture is required.
"Not giving a platform to men with a history of DV on television shows like dancing with the stars and other panel discussions. This makes it seem like their violence is socially acceptable" she said.
"Also a crackdown on aggressive pornography. A drastic change of our general culture is needed."
Bullyology founder, author and friend of The Catch-Up Jessica Hickman was a speaker at the "No More" rally at Robertson Park in Orange on Sunday.
This was how she believes everyone can contribute to the changes that need to be made.
- We start by educating ourselves and our communities. Where to get help? How to notice the signs? How do we speak up? We have amazing local frontline supports [including] Housing Plus and Lifeline
- Call out and challenge harmful stereotypes and dismantle patriarchal structures that perpetuate violence and silence.
- We must teach our children about consent, respect, and equality from an early age. We must monitor the violent content they observe from video, games to youtube, Twitter (X) and pornography. Education in schools and home on what emotional, financial, physical and domestic abuse looks like
- We must support survivors. We must fine tune our awareness, listen to their stories without judgment, and we believe them. We need create safe spaces where they can heal and seek justice and refuge without fear of retaliation.
- We hold our leaders accountable. We demand declarations of a national emergency, media regulation, policies that prioritise the safety and well-being of women.
- We advocate for stronger laws, better resources for victims, and training for frontline workers and comprehensive prevention programs.
- A stronger justice systems. Our law needs a sturdy review with a trauma - informed practise embded into the DNA including alternative reporting mechanisms
- We take care of each other. We check in on our friends, our neighbours, and anyone who may be at risk. We offer support and solidarity.
Support and conversation is so important. Something I keep coming back to. Talking about this, normalising the conversations around violent behaviour, taking any element of shame away for survivors, this is all so vital for a better future.
Australia feels like a scary place to be right now, but there's another feeling there, we're on the edge of change. We can't let it slip away.
Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
