Gender-based Violence – We Marched & Continue to March

‘Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Both women and men experience gender-based violence but the majority of victims are women and girls.’ (EIGE, 2021)

We marched all over Australia to fight against gender abuse, inequality and violence against women with 47 protests happening across the country. In March, tens of thousands of women stood strong and stood together, to fight for the rights and equality between ALL women and men. We ‘Marched 4 Justice’!

Dunghatti woman, Marie Barbaric spoke up at the march in Sydney. In her words you could feel her anguish, her sadness and her strength in the fight for equality and for the safety of women and children.

“To our perpetrators, a change is coming, and you will be held accountable,” (M. Barbaric, 2021).

Indigenous mob attended the march in response to hundreds of years of abuse, discrimination and inequality that we have endured. The Australian Bureau of Statistic states that 1 in 10 Indigenous women experienced domestic or family violence. Of these women, 43% were physically injured and needed medical attention.

Within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Indigenous women are 5 times more likely to have had experienced physical abuse than any other women within Australia.

Indigenous women are 3 times more likely to have been sexually assaulted than any other women in Australia.

Indigenous women are 35 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence.

More than 55% of homicides with the Indigenous community are related to family violence. Indigenous women are 5 times more likely to be victims of homicide than non-indigenous women.

"Abused and battered mother, abused and battered kids, abused and battered grandparents, abused and battered generation. It sticks with you for generations and doesn't leave. It becomes an acceptable practice. In my work I've seen violence in different generations of our people."

(T. Dillion, 2019)

Stated, Tracey Dillion, Chief Executive Officer, South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation.

“Not far from here such marches, even now, are being met with bullets, but not here in this country.” (S. Morrison, 2021)

Our leader’s response is not the statistics of women being abused, not the horrendous statistics of women being raped, being threatened and being ridiculed on a daily basis. It is not the announcement of support or sorrow that should be given to all the survivors and future survivors. It was instead a cry of gratitude that our March4Justice on the rights and equality for all genders, did not conclude with flying bullets and people laying in pool of their own blood.

Below states the assistance provided to women who are currently facing family violence, from the website of Department of Health & Human Services – Victoria.

‘Support services for women and children

A range of direct services is provided to women and children/young people who may be affected by family violence. Service provision includes individual counselling, specialised support groups, and referral services. These services aim to promote early intervention strategies to prevent the occurrence or escalation of family violence and prevent future occurrences of family violence by offering post crisis support. Further assistance is available for women seeking intervention orders through the provision of court support advocacy and referral. These services also provide support to children to improve their coping skills, self-esteem, and foster the development of non-violent problem-solving strategies.’ (DHHS, 2020)

They offer a number to call and further details on ‘Men’s Behaviour Change Programs’. Where as on the Indigenous DHHS site (it states the below), it does not offer a no contact number, no information on the 11 programs of family violence that operate or any information for further assistance.

‘The Victorian indigenous family violence taskforce was established in October 2001, to raise community awareness and engage communities in the development of local responses. The taskforce presented its final report in December 2003.

As part of the strategy, 11 Indigenous family violence regional action groups are operating across the state. These groups are supported by an Indigenous family violence regional coordinator employed through the department.

We provide support services for people who have experienced violence and offers violence prevention programs through the following services:

Indigenous family violence strategy

Sexual assault support services

Integrated family violence strategy.’ (DHHS, 2017)

If we want a change then let us begin here! The government needs to change. It needs to support the people by acknowledging the issue; provide accurate details for the programs that assist and support communities against family violence. Provide further information on how they will aid in the prevention of family violence. Ask themselves, have they reviewed the taskforce and its programs since 2003? Is it working? Is it making a difference? Is it changing the statistics for women & children?

An indigenous woman is FIVE TIMES more likely to be abused than any other woman in Australia, yet the Aboriginal Family Abuse website has not been touched since 2017. No updates, no new information and no changes. Clearly after 150 years, it is still not a priority to protect Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander women & children.

According to a final report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, stated:

‘Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than members of any other demographic in Canada’. (NC Raine, 2019)

If we do not stand together and stand up for our people, our women; soon we will share the same statistics and soon many more families will be grieving.

“Women are not safe. Inequality is part of the problem too.” (L. Thorpe, 2021)

Let’s make women feel safe again! Let’s make changes that will make an effect the lives of women and children. Let’s make a commitment to voice our concerns and demand our rights. We are all equal! No matter our gender, our race, our religion or culture. We are all people who deserve equality and the right to feel safe.