Report to reveal domestic violence figures

Amid calls for an urgent national response to violence against women and children, an annual report on recorded crime across the country will for the first time include data on domestic and family violence.

The report, to be released on Wednesday, provides statistics relating to the number and characteristics of alleged offenders who have been proceeded against by police over a 12-month period.

But for the first time, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will also publish "experimental statistics" on offenders proceeded against with family and domestic violence related offences.

The move to include domestic and family violence, described as a national emergency, comes after additional funding from the Department of Social Services was announced in June by former prime minister Tony Abbott.

It comes in the wake of the second national action plan to reduce violence against women and their children,

The report will not show trends in family and domestic violence, as the data collected only refers to the 2014-15 reference period.

However, it will provide details about all alleged offenders "proceeded against" by police, which includes those who have faced court or been subject to non-court action, and those dealt with through informal cautions, where no charge is issued.

"The data cube will show characteristics of offenders of FDV (family and domestic violence) flagged offences, such as sex, age, indigenous status, and principal offence," the ABS said.

Last year, the Recorded Crime Offenders report showed sexual assault and related offences increased by 19 per cent in 2013-14, while the total national offender rate rose two per cent to a total of 1997 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over.

The most prevalent principal offence in Australia in 2013-14 was public order offences.

* National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency, call triple-zero.