POLICE Chief Commissioner Ken Lay has praised Denis Napthine, Andrew Demetriou and Robert Doyle for their public stance on ending family violence but says more men need to follow their lead.

With about half of assaults in Victoria happening in homes, Mr Lay said the onus was on men to call out family violence for the crime that it is.

"We've got men engaging in criminal behaviour who aren't being talked about, aren't being made to feel shameful for what they've done, and that's where the narrative needs to go," Mr Lay said.

"I don't see a lot of men standing up and saying enough is enough."

Victoria's top cop backed the Herald Sun's Take a Stand campaign to end family violence, together with Victoria's Premier, Melbourne's Lord Mayor and the AFL's chief executive.

"I feel quite bullish that the community's willing to talk about it and I'm very, very proud of the three other high-profile men that stood up today and said enough is enough," Mr Lay said.

"It is now time for high-profile men, leaders in this community, to speak out and speak out strongly and actually make family violence a shameful act."

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While Mr Lay said police and Victoria's courts had improved their handling of family violence cases, he said much work needed to be done and he was "not sure when these numbers will stop going up".

"Since I've been in the job (of Chief Commissioner), we've had an increase of about 40 per cent in the numbers of reports, which is in one way quite frightening, but the other way is quite gratifying seeing women coming forward prepared to make a stand about what's happening to them," he said.

"Yes, we've moving in the right direction, but is there more to do? You bet."

The four men recorded video messages in which they called on all men in the community to take responsibility for ending family violence, which has hit record levels in Victoria, with 50,382 family violence calls to police last year.

Twelve Victorians - almost all of them women - were killed.

More than 16,000 assaults were recorded in the home.

"We need to make sure (abusive) men feel like they're ostracised, they're vilified, that their behaviour is simply unacceptable," Mr Lay said.

Dr Napthine called on all men to step up, saying police and the courts alone could not end family violence against women.

"By speaking up we can change attitudes and behaviours," he said.

The Herald Sun is today launching a major investigation into family violence, which shows that intervention orders are failing to protect women from violent perpetrators.

It also shows that significant resources are needed to assist the courts and support agencies dealing with the devastating fallout from family violence, a leading cause of poverty, homelessness and illness for young women.

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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call police on 000.

If you or someone you care about is living with an abusive partner or family member call the Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria's 24-hour crisis line on 1800 015 188 or 9322 3555.

For national counselling, helpline, information and support 24-hours call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

If you're a man and worried that your behaviour may be hurting someone you care about, call the Men's Referral Service on 1800 065 973 or 9428 2899 (9am-9pm weekdays). Website is www.mrs.org.au

If you suspect a male friend or family member is abusing someone at home, approach them by using words such as: "It sounds like you're having a tough time - it might be good to talk to someone about it.''

Try to get them to call the Men's Referral Service on 1800 065 973 (9am to 9pm weekdays).

Originally published as 'More must be done' on family violence