''I don't think we're going to see an end to domestic violence until we see both men and women in the community make it absolutely clear that it's unacceptable,'' Ms Bligh said.

''We do need a strong police response, we do need education in our schools, we do need safe and secure places for women and children who are experiencing it. But we need men to say to their mates 'I don't want to be your friend if you're doing this kind of stuff.' It really has to become unacceptable behaviour.

''I'd like to think we can aspire to make domestic violence ancient history within two generations and that's what we should aim for.''

Ms Bligh has lent her her support to Fairfax's ''Shine a Light'' campaign on domestic violence, launched in March.

Crime figures released last week showed domestic violence in NSW reached a 15-year peak in December - 94 domestic violence assaults were reported to police each day.