Family violence linked to mental health

Australia's first royal commission into family violence is set to hear a first-hand account from a survivor of the link between domestic violence and mental health.

The woman is the second victim to address Victoria's royal commission into family violence, which will hear evidence on Wednesday from several mental health practitioners.

Mental health expert and 2010 Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry is among the key witnesses who will speak about the mental health of people subjected to domestic violence.

Professor McGorry has worked in the youth mental health sector for more than 25 years and is renowned for his work in early intervention.

The inquiry will also discuss the mental wellbeing of perpetrators and what support services are available to families.

Homelessness support services told the commission on Tuesday that many women stay in abusive relationships because they and their children have nowhere else to go.

There are more children in refuges than women, and families who flee violent situations are often left homeless while violent perpetrators are allowed to stay in the family home.

More than a third of homelessness is linked to family violence, the Council to Homeless Persons says.

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