Speakers, including one young boy and his mum, talked about the impact of violence on their lives at Saturday’s rally.
The Yarrawonga community is in shock and grieving the loss of 46-year-old Kylie Sanders who was killed when she tried to assist in a domestic dispute on Anzac Day.
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On Saturday afternoon, hundreds gathered on the foreshore, calling for an end to violence against women and where a range of speakers shared about horrific abuse they’d experienced from they thought had loved them.
The event was organised by Firey Lou, an organisation committed to ending gender-based violence and fell on the same say as similar rallies around the country.
“This isn't something that's happening somewhere else,” Firey Lou president Shantelle van der Leeuw said.
“This is happening right here in our backyards and in our communities. People are living in fear in the very places that they should feel safe; our neighbours, friends and family members.”
Almost 200 people gathered on the foreshore calling for an end to family and gender-based violence.
Shantelle had a special message for the many men in the crowd.
“To the men standing with us today, we need you,” she said.
“If you are not calling these things out, you are enabling it.
“This is a community issue; men have a critical role to play and we are calling on you to be part of the change.
“Call out disrespect when you see it, have the hard conversations with your mates and teach the young people around you what real respect and what healthy relationships look like.
“Call out disrespect when you see it, have the hard conversations with your mates and teach the young people around you what real respect and what healthy relationships look like.”
“Your leadership matters, your courage to challenge the culture matters.
“Stand with us today, and not because the victim may be your sister, daughter, aunt or grandma, but because they are someone.”
Call it out - silence enables violence.
In 2022 the Australian government released a national plan to end violence against women and children within 10 years.
Since then, family violence offenses and murders have increased.
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