It's a definition that can mean the difference between a safe home and the type of family tragedy we're hearing about all too often.

Simplistic? Not entirely; many factors contribute to relationship breakdowns but while respect remains so does hope for the future, be it separately or together.

We're nearly halfway through the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, an annual international campaign that began in 1991 and, sadly, is still needed today.

The evidence is far from anecdotal, with the Women's Centre for Health and Wellbeing in Albury reporting the support it provided increased by 84 per cent from March to October. That equates to about 33 women a day seeking help.

NSW Police officers responded to more than 145,000 domestic-related incidents in the 2019-20 financial year, about 400 every day.

IN OTHER NEWS:

South of the border, Victoria Police recorded 88,214 family violence incidents in 12 months, 75 per cent with female victims and 87 per cent of those involving a male perpetrator.

Coincidentally, during these 16 Days of Activism Wangaratta's Luke Chilcott received a bravery award for trying to talk down an armed neighbour who shot his partner Ora Holt and then himself.

After the 2017 murder-suicide, a coroner said there was evidence the gunman, Greg Floyd, was controlling, jealous, financially abusive, had Ms Holt under surveillance, used sexual coercion and had shown similar behaviour to his ex-wife.

In a radio interview Mr Chilcott, a reluctant but undoubted hero, highlighted Ms Holt's heroism, saying he believed she stayed behind rather than try to escape so her husband wouldn't pursue their children.

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It's a shocking tragedy that some might say goes beyond mere lack of respect.

But we'd argue there is no "mere" - respect must be ingrained in all our interactions, especially within our closest relationships.

Whether it's trying to consider alternative views, allowing others to speak without interrupting or refraining from unkind comments, we can all give and receive the respect everyone deserves.