She Matters memorial to women who allegedly died by violence defaced in Melbourne's Hosier LaneBy Melissa BrownTopic:Vandalism6h ago6 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:19amThe She Matters memorial in Hosier Lane has been vandalised a week out from a planned vigil for Mothers Day. (Supplied)In short:A mural of women who have allegedly died because of violence has been vandalised in Melbourne's renowned street art laneway, Hosier Lane.The "She Matters" mural has had the words "war on men" painted across the faces of the women depicted in the memorial.What's next?Volunteers are gathering in Hosier Lane replacing all the damaged pictures and applying graffiti protection paint to try to preserve it from further damage.abc.net.au/news/she-matters-womens-violence-memorial-defaced-hosier-lane-melb/105247150Link copiedShareShare articleA mural in Melbourne's CBD honouring women who have allegedly died as a result of predominantly male violence has been defaced.The "She Matters" mural bearing the names, pictures and artistic images of more than 100 Australian women who were allegedly murdered or died due to violence has been spray-painted with the words "war on men".The memorial was erected in the street art space, Hosier Lane, on International Women's Day in 2024 and has been maintained by The Red Hearts Campaign and Australian Femicide Watch founder Sherele Moody, who said she had been making repairs and adding new photos to the mural "pretty much weekly".She said she received calls and photos of the damage on Friday, describing the vandalism as abhorrent and soul destroying."I know most of the families who have victims on that wall and it's just heartbreaking for me to know that someone thought that these people were so insignificant that they could write that on top of it," Ms Moody said.Sherele Moody says the vandalism to the mural is soul destroying. (Instagram: Sherele Moody)She said the mural was regularly defaced, with individual images needing to be reprinted in the past.But Ms Moody said this act of vandalism was the worst damage since it was put up, with almost the entire mural needing to be replaced."I don't know what was worse — I don't know if I was more devastated or more angry," she said."The worst part was having relatives of women on there contacting me … equally as devastated that their people were erased like that."These women have already been erased and someone's just gone down and erased them again."A group of volunteers gathered in Hosier Lane on Saturday morning to help Ms Moody with the repairs.She said graffiti-protection paint would be used to try to stop it from being damaged in the future, and she was considering hiring a security guard to watch over the mural until the protective layer dried.Dozens of people gathered on a chilly Saturday morning to help quickly repair the mural. (ABC News: Jesse Thompson)A vigil for women who have died was due to be held at the She Matters mural on Mother's Day next weekend."That mural has sparked conversations around the world, footage of it has gone global," Ms Moody said."I've sat down there some days and listened to the conversations from women mainly talking about their experiences of violence, talking about the red flags, talking about the things that saved them."I've sat there and listened to men going 'wow, I had no idea this was happening. This is something I want to be a part of to fix' so it's really important."Ms Moody pleaded for anybody who had any footage of those responsible for the damage to contact her.Ms Moody (at the top of the ladder) is hoping the City of Melbourne will help protect the mural. (ABC News: Jesse Thompson)She said she was unsure if police could take any action because street art is allowed anywhere in Hosier Lane."I would really love for the Melbourne City Council to come down and look at the mural and actually recognise its importance and if they can't help me protect it there then help me move it to a wall where it can be protected."Victoria Police said it was unaware of whether a complaint had been made.The ABC has contacted the City of Melbourne.Posted 6h ago6 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:19am, updated 5h ago5 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 1:06amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Family and domestic violence support:1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277NSW Domestic Violence Line:1800 656 463Qld DV Connect Womensline:1800 811 811Vic Safe Steps crisis response line:1800 015 188ACT 24/7 Crisis Line:(02) 6280 0900Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:1800 608 122SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line:1800 800 098WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline:1800 007 339NT Domestic violence helpline:1800 737 732Top StoriesLabor and Greens clash over preferences in ultra-marginal seat of DeakinLIVEPhoto shows Side by side photos of Anthony Albanese and Adam Bandt, both in dark suits, ties and spectaclesDutton finishes campaign with lurch towards Trumpian politicsLAnalysis by Laura TinglePhoto shows Peter Dutton in hi-vis, surrounded by other people.What to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Green ballot papers are tipped out of ballot box.Blackout plunges Bali into darkness 'after subsea cables disrupted'Topic:Tourism and Leisure IndustryPhoto shows Silhouettes of people at a hut watching the sun rise over the sea.Were Erin Patterson's deadly beef Wellingtons a terrible accident or murder?Topic:CourtsPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtPopular nowLabor and Greens clash over preferences in ultra-marginal seat of DeakinLIVEPhoto shows Anthony Albanese and Jodie in a crowd shaking hands What to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Green ballot papers are tipped out of ballot box.What time will a winner be called tonight?Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese smiling on rainbow background.Related topicsDomestic ViolenceMelbourneVandalismTop StoriesLabor and Greens clash over preferences in ultra-marginal seat of DeakinTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Side by side photos of Anthony Albanese and Adam Bandt, both in dark suits, ties and spectaclesDutton finishes campaign with lurch towards Trumpian politicsLAnalysis by Laura TingleWhat to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsBlackout plunges Bali into darkness 'after subsea cables disrupted'Topic:Tourism and Leisure IndustryWere Erin Patterson's deadly beef Wellingtons a terrible accident or murder?Topic:CourtsJust InWhat to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal Elections1h ago1 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 4:40amKnights' Origin superstars turn it on, as Sharpe scores birthday hat-trickLIVE6m ago6 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 6:21amBulldogs make a statement with Port Adelaide blow out in BallaratLIVE15m ago15 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 6:12amAustralia to host first three events of 2026 WSL Champions TourTopic:Surfing3h ago3 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 2:39amMore Just InBack to top