THE mother of a 17-year-old stabbing victim last week called for even tougher penalties to help combat the state's growing knife culture.

"[Knife carrying] is just not an Australian thing to do. It shouldn't happen, not here," Narre Warren mother Anna Ruisi said.

Ms Ruisi's son Paul Iovan was stabbed twice in the lower back at the Lions Club of Noble Park-Keysborough's Summer Festival at Burden Park on February 20.

Paul, a year 12 student at Hallam Secondary College's sports academy, was trying to get a mate to safety when a group of five men turned on him, rained blows to his head and stabbed him from behind.

The pair had managed to run away when the friend realised Paul was bleeding profusely from the stab wounds.

"When Paul brought his hands forward they were covered by blood as the liver was spurting blood out," Ms Ruisi said.

"If he hadn't been so close to a first aid station at the festival he would have lost too much blood and died."

After Paul was rushed to The Alfred hospital a scan revealed a worrying air pocket and perforations to his liver and diaphragm.

He was recently readmitted to the hospital for a day to be treated for a haematoma that developed above one of the stab wounds.

The teen is looking forward to soon returning to school.

Ms Ruisi said her son was also paying an emotional price.

"He's waking up with cold sweats and nightmares. Psychologically, I am sure it's affected him."

Premier John Brumby announced a further crackdown on knives shortly after the attack, one of 10 knife-related incidents across Melbourne that weekend. The new measures include $1000 on-the-spot fines for first-time offenders aged from 16 caught carrying a knife and a ban on the sale of prohibited or controlled weapons to minors.

Ms Ruisi said the fine should be lifted to $5000 or even $10,000 and

community service provisions implemented.

She appealed for witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800333000. The culprits are described as being of Asian appearance.