A STATE budget announcement to help children affected by family violence and sexual assault has been welcomed by Wangaratta-based upper house MP Tania Maxwell.

The Victorian Government committed $44.1 million to help children, including adolescents, who use violence at home.

Ms Maxwell said budget funding to tackle the jump in adolescent violence and support young people to access mental health counselling and advice in schools will be vital for rural and regional families and communities.

The Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party MP said Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency reported a near 12 per cent increase in adolescent family violence incidents recorded by Victoria Poli...