'Jane', who did not want to be identified, has feared for her life as her daughter's bad moods that started at puberty escalated to the point of severe physical violence.

"One night I had an iron thrown at me and I was hit over the head with a heavy bottom glass.

"I had to escape through the garage and disappear down the driveway. I had to get five stitches. There have been massive amounts of broken furniture, windows, holes in walls. My hair has been pulled out.

"At the moment one of our windows is broken and I can't afford to replace it."

Jane and her daughter are one of 176 families who received counselling for adolescent domestic violence by Anglicare Victoria's eastern Melbourne service in 2007-08.

They undertook the service's eight-week program Breaking the Cycle that teaches families how to deal with the issue.

Breaking the Cycle, which launched a training manual last month, has helped Jane avoid potentially violent situations.

At its worst, the violence happened several times daily. Now, the physical violence happens about once in three weeks, but Jane says it's only the beginning of a long journey.

"People need to understand that raising a child is a responsibility of the community, not just the individual parents or teachers.

"It's something that we must do in concert with each other. That goes right through to telling kids to stand up on the trams."

Anglicare Victoria area manager Sue Sealey said adolescent domestic violence was a hidden issue within families and more widespread than people realised. For every 20 families who attend Breaking the Cycle, another 70 referrals miss out.

"Families are often ashamed to talk about their adolescent as violent in the home.

"It is a significant issue and it's not just about kids who have bad tempers or need to mature more, it's very much about significant violence in the home and the parent-child relationship."

Anyone who needs help should call Anglicare Victoria on 132 622.