A man who pleaded guilty to serious family violence offences, including recklessly causing injury to his partner while on bail, will complete a two-month jail term before undergoing a 15-month community corrections order with strict conditions.

The man, who cannot be identified to avoid identifying the victim, headbutted and punched his partner after drinking heavily for a "belated Valentine's Day".

Magistrate Ron Saines told the man at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court family violence needed to be denounced.

"The message to you in particularly that if you keep engaging in acts of violence, then you will receive longer and heavier sentences," he said.

"You must expect that if you engage in family violence - you cannot use your power to lash out at anyone in your family."

The man has served 58 days of pre-sentence detention.

He was also convicted and fined $200 for failing to attend court-ordered counselling sessions.

PREVIOUSLY:

The courts will break the cycle of family violence "one way or another" following an alleged assault in February.

The Ballarat Magistrates' Court was told on Monday the accused, who The Courier has chosen not to name to protect the alleged victim's identity, was drinking with his partner on February 15 this year.

Following an argument, police alleged the man headbutted his partner, pushed her to the ground, and punched her in the face - police photos from the evening show swelling and dried blood.

Police arrested the man after finding him hiding near a car - he said he "did not recall" the alleged headbutt.

A 12-year-old child was inside the house at the time but did not witness the alleged assault.

The man was also charged with failing to attend counselling sessions for the past year - he said he attended one, but was unable to find a babysitter for the others.

The man's defence lawyer said he had an acquired brain injury from a car accident in 2007, and alcohol affected his condition.

She added the alleged victim had made a statement of no complaint.

The lawyer asked for a sentence indication, given the man has served 37 days in prison already.

Magistrate Ron Saines said on a guilty plea, he would be sentenced to 60 days in prison, with potentially other conditions for breaching family violence orders - this was accepted by the accused.

Addressing the man, Mr Saines was blunt.

"It's what's commonly described as a cycle of violence - it starts with an assault, followed by a period of remorse, then forgiveness in the family structure," he said.

"Things get better, then things get more stressed, and then it happens again.

"The role of the court is to break that cycle.

"This court will break that cycle for you one way or another.

"It might take years in prison, or this stint - (the victim) withdrawing her complaint after there is blood on the floor doesn't mean you get any less."

The man was remanded in custody and will return to court on April 7.

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