We don’t know what those recommendations will be as yet, but we know the commission will unearth many problems with the way we tackle this difficult issue now. 

A lot of work is being carried out to combat family violence but in an ad hoc and often ineffective way that puts out small fires here and there but fails to address the broader issue of prevention.

We already know that funding is desperately needed for refuge services and counselling services and we know that the police and the courts are struggling under the burden of intervention orders and increased reporting of the crime.

What we don’t fully understand is why there is so much family violence in the community. Until we can get to the bottom of why men — and it is mainly men — physically and emotionally abuse women we will struggle to control it.

Drugs, alcohol, financial problems and mental illness are triggers for family violence but there is also a conversation to be had about gender inequality, casual sexism and patriarchy and its underlying effects on family violence. 

It goes without saying that the commission will look into all these areas and hear from many an expert before making its recommendations.

One area it should not overlook is the rise in violent and degrading internet pornography and its de-humanising abuse of young, vulnerable women. This type of material can be easily accessed by young males in our society through smart phones and other devices. It distorts the way young men regard women and blatantly portrays girls as objects to be cruelly abused.

The commission might also look at ways to better co-ordinate the nation’s responses to family violence through new and improved links between government agencies and community groups.

When its work is complete, it will then be up to the Victorian government to put its money where its mouth is and find the cash to try to tackle this largely hidden and insidious stain on our communities once and for all.