Sergeant Singe said domestic violence incidents reported to police had increased in the past few years but she said this was likely due to increased reporting.

She said police had made a concerted effort to improve assistance to victims of domestic violence.

"In the past we would respond to a family violence case just on the night... now we are putting in referrals for victims and perpetrators and doing follow-ups with victims," she said.

"It's a shame (domestic violence) is happening but I'm glad people feel they can report it."

She welcomed new laws extending the hours police can issue family violence safety notices.

"The change with the family violence safety notices has been a huge bonus for us because it means they can be used more freely, which means we can put in immediate protection for victims," she said.

Statistics reveal that in the 2013-14 year Bendigo had 1575 family violence incidents reported to the police.

The statistics show an increase every year since about 2009-10, when there were 649 incidents reported. 

"It's really difficult to know whether there's more family violence in the community or more people reporting," she said.

"But either way, we're happy there's more reporting."

Sergeant Singe said the significant turnout to Bendigo's White Ribbon Day commemorations - during which more than 500 people marched for equality - showed the community was making progress on the issue.

"To see the number of people there, the number of different organisations shows the message is really getting out into the community and that's a benefit for everyone," she said.

She said the presentations were "very emotional but very powerful" and the fibreglass white elephant "looked wonderful".

"The day was absolutely fantastic," she said.

"We had 500-plus people there, which was double the numbers from last year, and the really great thing was that 50 per cent or more were men, which made me really happy."

She said she was thrilled more than 200 men made a pledge to never commit or condone violence against women. She said it showed the community was concerned about the issue.