Related stories:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Family and friends of Zoe Buttigieg have made a strong stand against the type of violence which took the life of the 11-year-old girl last year.
Their purple shirts and banners formed a large section of Sunday’s march.
Zoe’s uncle, Mat Carmody, told The Border Mail more than 30 people from across the North East went to Wangaratta for the rally.
“It’s purely just for Zoe, to make sure her voice is heard,” he said.
“We’re here to let the community know it’s not OK.”
The family joined the call for politicians to listen to the public’s cries for a stronger justice system.
“The support is awesome, we can’t fault it,” Mr Carmody said.
Sophie Mirabella also read a statement from Zoe’s family thanking the rally organisers and Derryn Hinch and Bruce and Denise Morcombe for attending.
“The family and friends of Zoe would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Wangaratta,” the statement said.
“We will continue to fight for the justice for our beautiful Zoe.”
Mansfield’s Julie-Anne Turner was a victim of sexual assault 48 years ago, but was still going through the court system for justice.
She said laws needed to focus more on ensuring perpetrators were no longer threats to society.
“You feel like you’re getting robbed,” Ms Turner said.
“Why should we sit in silence?”
A www.change.org petition to “stop the release of dangerous sex offenders” had amassed about 50,000 signatures in Western Australia.
The sexual assault survivor who started the campaign, Ange Johnston, travelled from Mt Gambier to Wangaratta to tell the rally the whole country needed to band together for change the laws.
“I know what it’s like to live with this everyday, I’m the lucky one,” she said.
“We have had enough and no more lives can be taken, Australia-wide, by repeat offenders or anyone that is on parole.”