Campaign to tackle violence against women (AAP)

One in three women suffer physical abuse. One in five are sexually assaulted. One woman is killed every week by their partner or former partner.

These are the national statistics driving the Our Watch foundation and the national campaign announced on Friday that aims to change attitudes to domestic violence.

Formerly known as the Foundation to Prevent Violence Against Women and their Children, the change in the foundation's name shifts the onus of responsibility onto everyone in the community and not just the victims, organisers say.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill called violence against women a "national emergency" at the relaunch in Sydney.

Among the other dignitaries were Senator Michaelia Cash, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and the Chief of the Australian Army, David Morrison.

Senator Cash hailed the "tsunami of support" for the initiative, while former senator and board chairwoman Natasha Stott Despoja emphasised the need to attack the causes.

"The research shows that violence against women is directly linked to gender inequality," she told the audience.

"We must challenge those deeply ingrained attitudes, beliefs and distorted views that give rise to men's violence against women.

"And we must address the norms and behaviours that support rigid gender stereotyping and roles."

Lieutenant-General David Morrison said men needed to show leadership on the subject.

"There's no magic wand here in fixing how we treat women and their children," he said.

"But it's the commitment we've all got to make, to be better."

Run through schools, cultural groups and local businesses, the campaign will be bolstered by a a host of well-known Australian faces acting as ambassadors including Charlie Pickering, Tara Moss, Shane Jacobson and anti-violence campaigner Rosie Batty.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/24912657/campaign-to-tackle-violence-against-women/