Anti-violence rally part of national campaign

ANOTHER rally against domestic violence will take place in Rosalind Park on Sunday.

The protest, among more than 25 around Australia, is part of the What Were You Wearing organisation’s campaign on violence against women.

Two demands are being made nationally and will be put to Sunday’s attendees.

The movement wants mandatory trauma informed training for first responders throughout Australia, and funding for grassroots organisations in domestic, family and sexual violence areas – including men’s behaviour change programs and women’s refuges.

The rally will start at 11am near the statue of Queen Victoria and the large Bendigo sign in the piazza.

Melissa Asta, part of a national rally collective on gendered violence, is the Bendigo team leader and will act as MC.

Ms Asta said between 500 and 1000 people attended the first rally in April, and organisers were hoping even more would participate in Sunday’s because there was still a need for action.

“We’ve lost 20 more women in the three months since the first rally that we know of,” she said.

“We’re averaging two women a week, and we’ve also lost nine children so far this year.”