UPDATE 12/10 - Rallies across the state brought hundreds of people together to speak out against gender-specific violence. 

At a gathering in Brisbane, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk told the crowd “this is a rally we should not have to have”.

“But the sad fact is one-in-20 men in Australia and more critically, one-in-five women in Australia, suffer at the hands of domestic violence.”

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart spokes too, expressing disappointment at the small number of people who turned up and frustration at the number of domestic violence callouts.

“I think it deserves better,” he said.

“By the time the Queensland police get involved, we as a community have failed.

“Yet my staff - 200 times a day in this state - 200 times a day - are attending calls for help in domestic violence situations.

“That is a tragedy that should not be lost to any of us,” he said.

ORIGINAL 08/10 - Queensland councils are taking bold steps this weekend to stop domestic violence.

Marches and rallies, led by mayors and councillors, will be held across the state on Sunday 11 October as part of a local government campaign 'Safer Families, Better Communities'.

The campaign urges residents to publicly condemn domestic violence.

Linked together under the banner #SaferFamilies, the rallies seek to encourage state-wide solidarity in addressing domestic violence.

Over 40 Queensland councils are holding rallies and marches.

A complete list of the important efforts is accessible here.