Men have taken the lead in a significant community march through a remote WA town to stand against the devastating issue of family and domestic violence.
Approximately 100 individuals marched through Fitzroy Crossing, located about 2,400 kilometers north of Perth, following the alleged murder of a 32-year-old woman by her partner in the town last year. She was the first of two women in the Kimberley to lose their lives in suspected domestic violence incidents within just six months.
Peter Murray, the CEO of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC), addressed the silent crowd on Monday, sharing that the woman was a family member. “A lot of people know what my family’s been through before Christmas, and we’re still in that grieving stage,” he said. “So what do we do as a community? We have to wake up.” He attributed factors such as drug and alcohol abuse, disconnection from culture, and poverty to the rise in violence, urging the community to work together for the well-being of future generations.
The rally, organized by the Fitzroy Valley Men’s Shed and timed with the launch of the anti-violence campaign “Us Without Abuse,” aimed to address the impact of the woman’s death on the town. The men’s shed had helped the alleged perpetrator find employment, which led the group to reflect on its role in violence prevention and supporting men. The group emphasized the need for conversations that could prevent violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and promote growth.
Ismahl Croft, the Men’s Shed director, called for more programs to support men, particularly those focused on behavior change, and emphasized a community-driven approach to finding solutions.
The Kimberley region continues to experience some of the highest rates of family violence in the country. Recent police data revealed 2,018 family and domestic violence-related offenses reported in the region between January and March of this year. This includes over 1,000 assaults and nearly 300 cases of threatening behavior, along with a record high of breaches in family violence restraining orders.
Local organizations in Fitzroy Crossing have increasingly spoken out against violence. Emily Carter, CEO of Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, expressed optimism about the “Us Without Abuse” campaign, which launched earlier this year in Broome and has now expanded to Fitzroy Crossing. “It’s about Kimberley people talking and the strength of our mob,” Carter said. The campaign addresses various forms of abuse, including domestic, child, and elder abuse, with a focus on changing the narrative and ensuring that men also receive necessary support.
Carter noted that meaningful progress would require addressing deeper systemic issues such as housing and access to services. The campaign aims to expand throughout the Kimberley, spreading messages of hope and change while highlighting the strength and resilience already present in local communities — without abuse.
