MALLEE Family Care is responding to an increase in requests for support from family violence victim-survivors as people become more informed about where and how to seek support.

Chief executive Teresa Jayet said recent data found that across 70 programs the organisation delivered, family violence was top five as a presenting reason people required support.

"We provide specialised family violence support programs within our community legal service and financial counselling programs," Ms Jayet told The Guardian.

"However, we also have daily requests for support that come through via our general intake enquiry line and often, over time, when a person is engaged in our family support of counselling programs, family violence becomes an issue of discussion that people have experienced.

"Our organisation aims to create an awareness through community education and information sessions to community groups, schools and businesses, about the supports we offer in this area,

"The feedback we often receive is simply, people just do not know what to do, or to understand the signs of family violence."

Ms Jayet said there were many elements of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, that was critical and could be applied to a local level.

"Starting a conversation, like many issues, is the important part of the 16 Days of Activism," she said.

"If we do not create an awareness about family violence, then the people who need support remain hidden.

"The campaign is about understanding how family violence can affect anyone, and if you know of someone who is experience family violence, then the question we get asked the most is, ‘What do I do?

"Creating this understanding benefits everyone in the community, and it also sends a message that we are united in the community and we will not be a bystander to this continuing in our community.

"Awareness is power. It is also about creating an awareness in relation to disrespectful or sexually harassing behaviour.

"Sometimes calling this behaviour out can be uncomfortable in that moment, but it also sends a clear message that the time has changed and people's intolerance to this behaviour has reached a critical point."

Victoria Police responded to 604 incidents of family violence in 2021/22. The rate per 100,000 population for Swan Hill was 2.841, compared with the Victorian rate of 1.373.

Asked why family violence was so prevalent in the Swan Hill and Gannawarra local government areas, Ms Jayet it could be attributed to people understanding what family violence is in the community and knowing the appropriate people to contact for referrals and information.

"There are also a number of newly funded programs and initiatives that support individuals, children and families experiencing family violence, which means it is becoming an issue that is more open and less stigmatised," she said.

"The issue may not be about the prevalence, but more about people knowing where and how to seek support for themselves or for others."

Mallee Family Care has increased its support provision through the community legal centre.

"We offer a service at the magistrates' courts across the Mallee for people seeking applications for family violence orders," Ms Jayet said.

"The support does not end at the court process – we provide ongoing referrals and case management support.

"We also ensure that we provide a holistic, wrap-around type of support that does not place further stress on a person who has experienced family violence. The last thing they need is to be put on the merry-go-round of seeking help."

Asked if victim-survivors better understood coercive and financial abuse, Ms Jayet said often this behaviour had become normalised over time, or they were desensitised to what was occurring.

"It is definitely becoming a subject matter that is getting more public attention, however there is definitely more work to be done in educating community about it," she said.

"There is also significant attention that needs to be placed upon a 'joining up' of consistent language and assessments of people seeking help for the first time."