New data shows the Christmas period ranks as one of the most prevalent times for family violence - prompting a police warning to look out for loved ones experiencing or at risk of the crime.
Crime Statistics Agency figures show during December last year there was an average of 304 family violence incidents recorded across the state per day.
On Christmas Day alone the average increased by 45 per cent with 438 family violence incidents recorded.
More than 70 per cent of assaults recorded on the day were family violence related.
The day is highest for family violence incidents ahead of Easter and New Year's.
The experience of police shows family violence tends to increase on Christmas day because families come into increased contact with perpetrators who use this as an opportunity to control and harm their victims.
Victoria Police wants to make it clear there is never an excuse for family violence. It can occur at any time and affect anyone.
Police will continue to respond to family violence as a priority throughout the festive period, including serving family violence intervention orders on perpetrators and executing outstanding warrants to ensure the safety of victims.
Victoria Police is committed to responding to all forms of family violence, keeping victim-survivors safe and holding perpetrators to account. Victoria Police is part of a wider system combatting family violence including our partners in specialist family violence support agencies.
If you, or someone close to you, discloses they are a victim of family violence, please believe them and encourage them to contact police.
Police will make referrals to specialist family violence services and agencies, who provide additional support and assistance, such as accommodation, to ensure the ongoing wellbeing and safety of victims.
Crisis Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by phoning 1800 015 188 and if someone is in immediate danger always call Triple Zero (000).
If you are concerned about your own or someone else's behaviour - No to Violence runs a Men's Referral Service which helps men who use violence to change their behaviour and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
For more information on what Victoria Police is doing to protect victim-survivors of family violence visit police.vic.gov.au/family-violence.
Quotes attributable to Family Violence Command Inspector Neil Herbert:
"Police know that sadly for some people Christmas isn't a time for celebration. Far too often police see perpetrators use the time together to control or harm family members - with the crime increasing each year.
"Whether it's perpetrators defying court-imposed orders to contact victims either in-person or using technology, making threats or committing assaults - these crimes will not be tolerated and need to stop.
"That's why police will continue to be working tirelessly to track down perpetrators and responding to family violence incidents as a priority right across the festive period because all victims should be safe and feel safe."
