A woman whose husband walked free from court after years of brutal attacks on her has told Victorian MPs how the justice system let her down.
Family violence was also compared to overseas terror attacks where victims were shot and beaten, as MPs held a joint sitting of the Victorian parliament.
Kristy McKellar said her husband's attacks were calculated and planned.
"My mobile phone was often hidden, put on silent or broken before the attacks," Ms McKellar told the parliament on Thursday.
She was beaten while pregnant, and lost hearing in one ear for almost a year after one attack.
Two traumatising court hearings ended with her husband walking free with just some community service.
"My whole world was turned upside down. The system failed to protect us," she said.
Australian of the Year Rosie Batty compared violence against women to the "appalling" terrorist attacks overseas.
"When we think of terrorism we think of how awful it would be to have a gun to our head, to actually be beaten, to actually be murdered," Ms Batty said.
"That is happening now, in people's homes, behind closed doors. Women are being stabbed, having their brains blown out, terrorised.
"Some women will never, ever have true safety again."
Ms Batty said people needed to switch their questioning of women in violent relationships to the men doing the abusing.
"Why doesn't he stop being violent, and indeed why doesn't he leave?" she said.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians should understand how violence at home destroys lives.
"We should all think of the children who fear Christmas, because dad's not at work, he's at home, drinking with his mates," he said.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy said family violence wasn't just physical attacks, but also included mental abuse, financial abuse and intimidation.
Nationals leader Peter Walsh said family violence was a gendered issue, and men's violence against women had to be addressed.
Victoria on Thursday announced flexible support packages for women and children leaving violent relationships.
The packages will provide up to $7000 to about 1000 women over the next four years, helping cover rent, bills, food and education costs.
* National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
