Students call for urgent action to stop sexual violence, femicide

Students rallied at Sydney Town Hall before marching to New South Wales Parliament on November 10 to demand urgent action to address sexual and gender based violence.

It was the second action organised by Students Stand Against Sexual Violence (SSASV). Speakers pointed out that since the September 15 rally, 11 more women and seven more children have been killed.

SSASV organiser Bel said it was frustrating that she, a 19-year-old student, had to take action when those in power could be doing more to address the crisis.

Bel thanked Australian Femicide Watch for tracking the number of women and children killed, and noted that Meta has recently deleted its Instagram page. 

Gamilaroi man and youth advocate Auntie G gave an acknowledgement of Country and spoke about the need to create safer and more inclusive communities, also to support survivors.

Sierra, University of NSW Students Representative Council (SRC) Women’s Officer, said it was important for women and survivors to campaign on the streets, and that federal and state Labor governments have refused to take the needed action to address sexual violence. 

Hannah Ferguson, Cheek Media CEO and independent candidate for Grayndler, said one in four women have experienced sexual violence at the hands of a partner, and that one in 10 men have interacted with police over sexual violence related matters. 

Ferguson condemned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s dismissal of the call for a royal commission into violence against women, after a petition reached more than 100,000 signatures. She  said there already were practical solutions so “there is no excuse not to take action”.