Based on this, there has been the formulation of policies and reforms to safeguard potential victims (Davis, 1998, p. 43).

In Victoria, Australia, there has been an increase in the rate of domestic violence and statistics show an increase in homicide rates. As a result, there are calls for a review of domestic violence policy to determine what can be done to reduce such occurrences across the country. According to the opposition, the ruling party should not wait further so that it can act, if possible, a review of the laws should begin immediately. Such a duty will be left to the royal commission whose mandate will include a close examination of domestic violence and all the factors that affect it. These include health services, alcohol, education, criminal systems, and the courts. Of all these factors, alcohol stands out strongly as the leading cause of violence within homes. Statistics from a survey throughout Victoria, results show that in households where both or one of the couples took alcohol, the chances of domestic violence occurring was 53%. It was established that alcohol consumption blurred their thinking and left them very agitated, as such, they were more likely to be abusive to those around them. The commission will receive professional assistance from survivors and several support providers who have experience in dealing with such issues. According to the proposed chair of the panel, the judicial system has been lenient on domestic violence offenders and it was about time the Labor party made the appropriate changes to prevent the spread of this vice. He said the focus of the panel would be to deal with the matter while focusing on the causative factors. it is from this perspective that the relevant policies can be formulated (Pleck, 2007, p. 50).

However, statistics from Victorian courts show a different side to the domestic violence issue. Court documents prove that the rate of domestic violence has gone down over the last three years and prosecutions are few (Dutton, 2006, p. 77). Judges clarify that they have been strict on offenders in the recent past and, as a result, very few people are willing to bear with the consequences.