About 1,500 people gathered in the Perth CBD for a rally launching the annual 16 Days in WA campaign against family and domestic violence. The event, organised by the Centre for Women's Safety and Wellbeing (CWSW), featured a silent march through the city to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
This year's campaign theme is 'play your part', urging men and boys to respect women and take action against violence. Keiran Dent from the Wungening Aboriginal Corporation told the crowd that women and children should not have to live in constant fear. 'It is women who lead us, it is women who care for us, it is women who shape us, and yet we hurt them,' he said.
Ariel Bombara, daughter of Floreat double murderer Mark Bombara, said Dent's speech was powerful and she hoped more men would follow his lead. Among the attendees were government ministers Reece Whitby, Jessica Stojkovski and Tony Buti, as well as opposition leader Basil Zempilas.
CWSW chief executive Alison Evans called for more funding into women and children's services, saying people in harm's way 'can't wait'. She noted that reported incidents of family and domestic violence offences in Western Australia have increased by 18 per cent in 2024-2025, with police responding to 100 assaults every day.
The rally featured 19 silhouettes representing the women and children killed by family domestic violence in WA in the past year. Their suburbs and ages were read aloud, followed by a minute of silence. Kelly Bentley, whose sister Andrea was murdered, said the silent march was a chance for her to remember and reflect. 'We need to educate our children on violence and its lifelong impact, and stop the cycle,' she said.
