Two weeks ago, the faces of more than 200 women appeared on the walls of Hancock Lane, in Central Ballarat. Each portrait represented a woman who had been killed in Australia since January 2024. There is also a section dedicated to women killed in Ballarat prior to 2024. 

The confronting artwork, part of the She Matters campaign, is an intentional reminder of the country’s ongoing domestic violence crisis.

The campaign: The She Matters campaign began with the Red Heart Movement and Australian Femicide Watch, founded and run by journalist Sherele Moody. Moody began the project in 2015 to track the deaths of Australian women and children following horrific deaths in her own family. 

• Moody worked closely with Women’s Health Grampians to bring the mural to Ballarat.

Why it matters: Following the deaths of three Ballarat women in quick succession in 2024, a spotlight has been shone on the region.

• In Australia, family and domestic violence accounted for 2 in 5 homicides in 2025.

• Charity and community group the Ballarat Foundation released a new report last year,the region designed to capture a portrait of “areas of vulnerability” around Ballarat.

• It found family violence in Ballarat had increased by 28.8% in 2025, against a state-wide increase of 8.86%

Local lens: Michaela, a 27-year-old woman born and raised in the Ballarat region, works near the mural and told the Brolga its scale is part of its impact.

• “You hear discussions about domestic violence, and the rates of things and of course the high profile cases, but the power of the mural is that it reminds you that each story and statistic is something that has happened to a real person, whose life has been taken.” Michaela said. 

• “The scale of this mural is its impact; to try and reckon with the fact that a huge part of it is just from 2024 onwards is overwhelming. It really ignites both sadness and anger - what are we doing to make sure this doesn't happen again? Why does it keep happening here?” 

What People Said: Ange van den Berg, from Women’s Health Grampians, said the importance of the She Matters movement in Ballarat is recognising the profound, actual impact on the community both before and since 2024. 

• “It’s so impactful because it’s so big and impossible to ignore,” said van den Berg. “We go back every couple of days and there are always people there at the mural, both intentional and accidental visitors. It’s starting a lot of conversations, with a lot of people saying they had no idea it was so many”

• “Art has always been tied to protest, and this is a really powerful way to shine a light and strengthen calls for everyone to do their part in eliminating gender-based violence.” 

Van den Berg said several families of some of the women killed attended the installation. 

• “It was a very hard, emotional day. But they are glad their loved ones are being remembered.” 

What Next: The She Matters mural on Hancock Lane will be up for the next 12 months, and will be updated to act as a live map of domestic violence across the country. Van den Berg told the Brolga another name and face had already been added to the wall – on the evening the mural was installed. 

In the two weeks since, more than seven names and faces have joined the list. 

• If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available 24/7 by calling 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

In Western Victoria, Meli, Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, Emma House, Orange Door and Child and Family Services Ballarat are also available to provide resources and support.