NOVOCASTRIANS have paused during a rally for murdered woman Hannah Clarke and her three children to hold a minute's silence for the eight other Australian women killed by men this year.
The Rally 4 Hannah and Her Children was held in Civic Park on Wednesday, coinciding with similar events across the country calling for the government to do more to prevent domestic violence.
Event organiser Bree Roberts said the murder of the Brisbane mum and her children was a "tipping point".
"The manner in which he killed them was so shocking and a big deal in Australia," she said. "We can't avoid this any longer. We have had enough. It affects entire families and all of society. It's universal trauma."
Ms Roberts said she wanted the government to follow the United Kingdom and Ireland and criminalise coercive control, which includes threats to a person or pet, emotional or financial abuse, monitoring and isolation.
"In my personal experience it's the first step towards physical violence," she said.
"I think this will help prevent situations from escalating further. We need change to save lives."
VOCAL chief executive officer Kerrie Thompson was one of several speakers and said the community had the "right to be angry that each week women are being murdered by an intimate partner".
She encouraged those assembled to shape change through actions including writing to their local member and challenging stereotypes.
"This crime has been minimised, dismissed and silenced for far too long," she said.
"Women and children are entitled to human rights, to dignity and to feel safe in their own home."
