Children are affected by family violence even if they don't actually see it, or are still in the womb, an expert says.
A family therapist has told Victoria's royal commission into family violence there is no such thing as an acceptable level of violence for children.
"Children as very young as babies can sense fear in their parents," Robyn Miller said on Tuesday.
"Children can smell fear. They can sense it, literally, through skin contact."
Centre for Women's Mental Health director Louise Newman said studies show pregnant women subjected to abuse can release stress hormones that cross the placenta into the womb.
"The brain can be changed by the impact of these stress-related hormones," Professor Newman said.
The most significant period of brain development occurs between birth and four years of age.
That's when a child's brain functions are being set up and their understanding of relationships and human interactions are established, she said.
"Traumatising children during these times of rapid growth can have an impact on how they develop," Prof Newman said.
"Children, even the very young, are directly affected by the things they might witness and the things they might directly experience."
The public hearing continues.
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