A large number of Australians march against sexual assault
Tens of thousands of people have proved to marches across Australia, protesting against the sexual abuse and harassment of ladies in the country.
They are spurred by a recent wave of allegations of sexual assault, centered around Australia's parliament.
The allegations have focused scrutiny on the conservative government.
The protests were organised yesterday, after Attorney Standard Christian Porter revealed he was the subject of a 1988 rape allegation - which he denies.
A separate case - that of Brittany Higgins, an ex-political adviser who alleged in February that she was raped in a minister's office in 2019 - in addition has fuelled public anger.
Ms Higgins spoke to the a large number of protesters outdoors Parliament House on Monday, saying: "You will find a horrible societal acceptance of sexual violence experienced by ladies in Australia."
"My report was on leading page for the only real reason that it had been an agonizing reminder to ladies that it could happen in Parliament House, and will truly happen anywhere."
The protest marches - known as the March 4 Justice - formed from noon on Mon across 40 cities and towns in Australia like the important capital cities of Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne along with smaller country towns.
Organizers predict it will be the "biggest uprising of females that Australia's seen".
Many protesters carried placards and wore black in protest. In Melbourne, protesters carried an extended banner listing the labels of females killed in acts of gendered violence previously decade.
Organizers in the Canberra rally intend to present a good petition with more than 90,000 signatures calling for greater accountability of sexist behaviours in parliament.
They have also called for Mr Porter to stand aside. Police have shut their circumstance against the attorney general, but others have argued for a separate inquiry in to the allegation against him.
One protester told reports company AFP that she was "fuming with rage".
"We are in need of immediate change - I'm fed up with women not appearing believed."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has so far declined to meet up the protesters in spite of their urging. Even so, he had on Sunday invited a delegation to meet up with him in Parliament House.
But this is rejected by the protest organizers who explained the prime minister, along with the government's minister for girls, should attend the rally and address their issues there.
"We've already come to leading door, nowadays it's up to the federal government to cross the threshold and come to us. We will never be meeting nowadays," tweeted march organizer Janine Hendry on Mon.
Most government lawmakers have declined to become listed on the rallies. However the Labor opposition leader as well as other prominent lawmakers became a member of the audience in Canberra.
Protesters look and feel the government's response to the sexual assault allegations raised in Australia's parliament during the past month offers been inadequate.
The cases have also shone a light how sexual assault and harassment is handled more broadly across all areas of Australian society.
Ms Higgins first spoke from 15 February about her alleged rape by a good colleague - and it has triggered a wave of other girls approaching forward with their reports - including in Australia's institution system, workplaces and the areas.
Many have called for the government to research the historical allegation against Mr Porter, the country's top law officer.
However, Mr Morrison possesses resisted such cell phone calls, after police closed a study on the basis they had insufficient evidence to proceed. The alleged victim passed away last year.
On Mon, Mr Porter said he would sue the Australian Broadcasting Company for defamation over the allegations.
However, the protesters prefer an unbiased inquiry to be placed into Mr Porter's case along with other alleged sexual assaults in Australian politics.
Critics also say the government in addition has been too slow and ineffective found in giving an answer to wider accusations of sexism and misogyny found in parliamentary culture - a trouble they state extends across get together lines.
On Mon, the Labor opposition said it could also review its way of life after a large number of anonymous allegations of sexual harassment and sexism against male figures within its get together.
