Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison described the statistics as “disturbing” and said a lack of support services were preventing women accessing help before being hospitalised. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released a report last week that showed almost 6500 women and girls were hospitalised due to assault across Australia in 2013–14.

The data showed, when a perpetrator was reported, 59 per cent were spouses or domestic partners. Injuries to the head made up 61 per cent of the assaults. 

Ms Aitchison, shadow minister for prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, said under-reporting of domestic violence had skewed widely used data.

"It is good to see the AIHW taking a proactive approach to collecting these statistics as there has been significant under-reporting shown in BOCSAR (Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research) statistics usually used by the media in discussing domestic violence,” she said.

“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is doing important work to track and record the prevalence of domestic violence in our society.”

Ms Aitchison said the figures showed a need for more support services to take the pressure off the health system. “These figures are disturbing, more needs to be done on the frontline and within prevention services to ensure these figures do not increase,” she said.

“Lack of support services is the one of the biggest barriers to women accessing assistance in cases of domestic violence and it is appalling that victims are waiting until they are hospitalised before they report violence. 

“The Victorian Royal Commission highlighted the importance of integrated hospital responses in its March 2016 report and NSW should be following their lead to implement the commission's recommendations in this area.”