Domestic Violence: What The Media is Missing
There’s a massive global story happening right now, and the media still hasn’t connected the dots. Across the world, grassroots protests have erupted just over the last few months protesting violence toward women—Northern Ireland, Kenya, France, Spain, Australia. These are raw, community-driven rallies from people who’ve flat-out had enough.
A key driver behind these protests is domestic violence and abuse. In every country on this list, the stories fueling these marches involve women harmed or killed not by a stranger on the street, but by someone they knew—partners, family members, people they trusted. These are not isolated incidents; they’re part of a devastating global pattern.
What’s Happening on the Ground
Northern Ireland: Candlelit vigils with signs screaming “End the Silence” after local communities faced devastating losses from domestic violence.
Kenya: Women chanting and carrying placards with “Justice for Our Sisters” as femicide rates, often tied to intimate partners, continue to climb.
France: 80,000 people protested at the Eiffel Tower, calling out femicide and demanding justice after the brutal attack on Giséle Pélicot, a grandmother drugged and raped by dozens in her own home.
Spain: Crowds flooding the streets behind the battle cry “Ni Una Menos” (Not One Less) to fight the intimate partner violence that’s taken too many lives.
Australia: Indigenous women leading marches, shining a light on the domestic abuse epidemic in their communities—a crisis too often ignored by the system.
These protests didn’t need a PR team. They didn’t need a celebrity endorsement. They’re fueled by something much bigger: rage, heartbreak, and a demand for change in places where the pain is all too real.
The Ugly Numbers
Let’s get into the eye watering statistics:
Globally: 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime—much of it at the hands of someone they know. Note that the number is much higher due to underreporting of crimes that occur behind closed doors.
Northern Ireland: A staggering 98% of women surveyed have experienced violence or abuse, over 50% of these before age 11.
Kenya: Between August and November of 2024, over 100 women were killed, primarily by intimate partners.
France: 122 women were killed by their partners or ex-partners last year.
Australia: One woman is killed every four days—the majority due to domestic violence.
These are not just numbers; these are lives, families, and communities forever shattered by violence.
Here’s Your Chance to Step Up
On January 18, there’s a way for you to show up as well. Local marches are happening in the U.S., and this is where you come in. Women, men, everyone—get up, get out, and show your face. Bring your voice. And men, we can’t do this alone, we need your support. This isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s your issue, too.
Let’s Be Clear
These rallies are a wake-up call, not just for the governments ignoring the problem but for every single one of us. Domestic violence and abuse don’t stay behind closed doors; they spill into every corner of society. We can either show up and raise these voices or stay home and let the silence win..again..
The choice is yours. Will you join the roar or stay on mute?
Find a march near you. Show up. Speak out.
Because this isn’t just about changing the conversation—it’s about saving lives.
