A new report says child abuse and violence between partners is estimated to be costing New Zealand up to $7 billion a year.
The report, released by the Glenn Inquiry today, looks at the health costs of treating victims, the cost to social services associated with abuse and a loss of productivity in the workplace.
Project director Suzanne Snively said if nothing is done to address the problem, the financial and economic burden could grow to nearly $80 billion in a decade.
Ms Snively said the numbers were shocking and a huge challenge to the country's economy.
She said the problem needed to be addressed in the same way as anti-smoking and road toll campaigns.