The yuletide message of peace and goodwill is not getting through to many Victorians, with police last year responding to a report of family violence every 10 minutes on Christmas Day.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said there were 3500 reports of family violence across the state last December, peaking on Christmas Day with 126 assaults.
"Last Christmas day, every 10 minutes, there was a police unit somewhere in the state going to someone's house where a woman or child had either been assaulted or threatened with violence," he told Fairfax Radio.
"It's a sad day when our police members need to go and visit families, where you see people that have been assaulted, in fear for their own safety, we have to move people from their homes, we need to move kids from their homes, and we see the peak around Christmas Day."
Mr Lay said the statistic was not surprising as there were all sorts of pressures on Christmas Day that often combined to result in people being hurt.
Family and financial problems, and alcohol abuse were often triggers, he said.
"It will be between 12 (noon) and 8(pm) at night when families are getting together, when you traditionally expect kids to be having a bit of fun doing what kids do," he said.
"But all too often ... every 10 minutes there'll be someone being assaulted and police knocking on the front door."
Mr Lay said police were prepared for a busy "and sometimes sad" day with support services in place, but he urged everyone to keep the peace at Christmas.
"We can't be there in the homes, it's up to the individuals to take responsibility for this, treat people decently, particularly those that they love," he said.
AAP