Hundreds of Border and North East residents joined thousands across Australia in March 4 Justice events organised out of frustration at the federal government's response to sexual assault.

At Albury's QEII Square deputy mayor Amanda Cohn asked the crowd of about 400 to take 30 seconds to introduce themselves to five women nearby.

"That's because the statistics show that 1.7 million women in Australia have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, that's one in five women," she said.

"Statistically one of the five women that you just met either has or will be a victim of sexual violence in their life and that is not acceptable."

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Cr Cohn, a GP who works with victims of sexual assault and family violence, said sexual violence in the news was accompanied by victim-blaming comments about what clothes they were wearing or that they were out at night.

"And do you know what that does - we're just saying that there are rapists out there and they should rape somebody else," she said.

"We must not only educate boys about consent and respectful relationships, we must show them (about) being accountable.

"Today tens of thousands of people in cities and towns across Australia, including all of you, are saying enough is enough.

"What we're asking you all to do today is to not let the conversation end here."

Indi MP Helen Haines told Parliament the women marching in Canberra cared about real action that affected their daily lives.

"They're interested in seeing women feel safe wherever they may be, whether it be working in the highest political place in the land, which is here, or whether it be walking along the streets in their home towns," she said.

"Put politics aside and let the women of Australia know that we are with them."

Farrer MP Sussan Ley started her speech in Parliament by "recognising every woman in every town gathered around Australia demanding change".

"Taking action can seem to be overwhelming, but if we all take small steps such as talking to our children about respectful relationships it will add up to positive change for Australia," she said.

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