People attend a protest against sexual violence and gender inequality in Melbourne on March 15
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Thousands of women in 40 Australian cities took to the streets to protest against the sexual abuse and harassment of women in the country.
The mass rallies on Sunday, which saw protestors holding banners listing the names of women killed in acts of gendered violence, were ignited after a wave of sexual assault allegations were made public.
Brittany Higgins, an ex-political adviser alleged that she was raped in a minister’s office in 2019.
The allegation, which is under police investigation, has fuelled public anger and led for calls for parliament to change its procedures on dealing with claims.
Ms Higgins spoke to the protestors outside Parliament House on Monday.
She said: “There is a horrible societal acceptance of sexual violence experienced by women in Australia.”
“My story was on the front page for the sole reason that it was a painful reminder to women that if it can happen in Parliament House, it can truly happen anywhere.”
It comes the UK faces its own public reckoning on violence against women after the murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard.
Organisers of the march in Canberra carried a petition signed by nearly 70,000 people calling for action to better protect women from abuse and harassment.
The campaigners had wanted to present the petition to Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, but he refused to meet them at the rally.
Although he offered a meeting in his office the organisers declined and insisted he attend the rally.
The #March4Justice protests were also sparked after it was revealed that Attorney General Christian Porter was the subject of a 1988 rape allegation - which he denies.
The alleged victim, who is now deceased, made the claim to police before she took her life last year.
But she withdrew her complaint before her death and now the South Australian coroner is considering whether or not to conduct an inquest.
Although police have closed their case against Mr Porter, organisers believe he should stand aside while others have argued for a separate inquiry into the allegation against him.
