The father of an off-duty policeman stabbed between the eyes during an alleged home invasion expects his son to face a long recovery.
Senior Constable Daniel Yeoman was in bed at his family's home, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, when a teenager allegedly forced his way into the house in the early hours of last Saturday.
Police allege that after Senior Constable Yeoman went to the aid of his wife, he was stabbed by Jade Hunia, 19, before the teenager took car keys from the bench and stole the couple's car.
Mr Hunia was reportedly on bail at the time of the attack on Senior Constable Yeoman.
The father of four has reportedly been discharged from hospital.
Senior Constable Yeoman's father, Dave Yeoman, who is also a police officer, on Thursday said he expected his son's recovery to be a long one given the circumstances.
"The recovery is going to be long and arduous, and needless to say they're very traumatised as to what's occurred, with concern mostly for the children," Detective Senior Sergeant Yeoman told Channel Seven.
"Physically the injuries will heal. Emotionally, that takes a little bit longer."
Detective Senior Sergeant Yeoman acknowledged the "huge amount" of messages of support for his son and his family.
"Nobody wants to get that phone call, it's something parents dread, especially parents of emergency services workers. It's been pretty traumatising," he said.
"We sympathise with other victims of crime as well, we now what it's like. It happens to us as well and we do our best to deal with it as it happens."
Sporting a rat-tail and a large white T-shirt, Mr Hunia appeared via video link before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, on five charges including intentionally causing serious injury, entering a building with intent to steal and theft.
He was remanded in custody to return to court in February.