A COMMUNITY legal group hopes the Andrews government's planned Royal Commission into Family Violence can lead to a focus on the experiences of victims.
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ARC Justice executive officer Peter Noble said he was happy with "the noises made by Labor" from opposition and hoped their emphasis on addressing family violence carried into its time in government.
The party promised to launch the Royal Commission within the first 12 months.
Mr Noble said bringing the experiences of victims of family violence into the public debate could lead to an attitude shift.
"We've seen from the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse how the personal accounts from victims can carry a powerful message," he said.
"In inquiries into family violence in the past, these voices may have been left out of bureaucratic processes."
ARC Justice operates Bendigo's Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and Housing Justice service.
A Productivity Commission report, released on Wednesday, recommended a major increase in funding for legal assistance. The report recommended $200 million per annum.
Mr Noble said Labor had promised to increase funding for legal assistance for family violence.
"We look forward to Labor honouring a number of pre-election promises including increased funding for family violence legal assistance and housing support funding," he said.
"With philanthropic funding for our family violence legal assistance service due to expire on 30 June 2014 and funding under the State Social Housing Advocacy and Support Program still suffering from cuts under the Coalition, a quick turn around on both of these fronts is critical."
The Productivity Commission report found disadvantage Australians are "more susceptible to, and less equipped to deal with, legal disputes".
It also highlighted the "critical" work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Legal Aid Commissions and Community Legal Centres.
Premier Daniel Andrews appointed Fiona Richardson as the state's first Minister for Family Violence.
In addition to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, Mr Noble said the initiatives raised the profile of the issue.
"In combination with the Royal Commission into Family Violence slated for 2015, the issue will have real prominence - and rightly so," he said.
"We also welcome the appointment of Fiona Richardson as Minister for Family Violence."