The state government says a new official agency aimed at ending domestic violence will work on the root cause of the problem: gender inequality.

The formation of Respect Victoria will be announced on Thursday, two years after the state’s Royal Commission into Family Violence handed down its recommendations.

The new organisation, a statutory authority to be enshrined in legislation, will have initial funding of about $12 million, which was allocated in last year’s budget.

The late Fiona Richardson was Australia's first Family Violence Minister. Credit:Rob Gunstone

Respect Victoria will work to combat gender inequality which the government says is a key driver of family violence by trying to “change the attitudes, social norms and culture that lead to family violence and violence against women,” according to Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins.