In 1991 a group of women who had survived the horrors of domestic and family violence marched from Forrest Place in Perth, Western Australia in protest of the legal system that had failed to keep them and their families safe. They dedicated the Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March to honour and remember all those women and children killed because of domestic and family violence.

In 1994, The Hon. Judyth Watson, MLA, organised the making of the Memorial Quilt as a tribute to those killed who could no longer speak for themselves. Patches were lovingly put together by victim’s families, friends and survivors and displayed at the event. (picture 70 attached)

The March continued with the support of the Domestic Violence Council WA and in 1996 wooden life-sized cut outs were made to represent the Silent Witnesses that had been murdered that year.

From 2000, the Women’s Refuge Group WA Inc (which became known as Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services WA) took on the role of organising the March. In late 2020, the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services WA and the Women’s Community Health Network WA merged to form the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing. The Annual Silent Domestic Memorial March was renamed the March Against Domestic and Family Violence in 2023.