Women who were killed in domestic violence incidents over the last five years will be represented through white dresses outside Parliament House today.
A joint project involving several domestic violence services will see 150 decorated dressed laid out at Federation Mall, one to represent each woman who has been killed at the hands of a partner.
Loved ones of the victims have decorated many of the dresses, raising awareness of the impact domestic abuse has on the community.
A group of front-line workers and domestic-violence sufferers who have travelled to Canberra from Newcastle will call on the federal government to better address domestic violence.
Nova for Women and Children CEO Kelly Hansen said urgent funding was needed to provide refuges for women fleeing domestic violence.
"Our refuges are at capacity and we don't want to be in the position where we have to turn women and children away because we have no room for them. That's just not acceptable," Ms Hansen said.
In a statement, the support services said 13 women had died at the hands of violence in Australia.
"While the recent budget is a starting point, much more is needed to prevent domestic and family violence in our communities," the spokeswoman said.
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Ms Hansen said addressing the "national housing catastrophe" was crucial.
"Women and children cannot be safe when they have nowhere to live in either the private or public housing sector," Ms Hansen said.
The group of more than 50 men and women hoped to hand Prime Minister Scott Morrison one of the dresses.
