Police in Western Australia say they expect an alarming 25 per cent jump in domestic violence incidents during the upcoming festive season.
In the last financial year, 141 family violence reports were made to police every day, on average.
That figure climbed to 175 incidents per day during the 2016 Christmas-New Year period — an increase of almost 25 per cent.
A total of 51,445 family violence incidents were investigated by police during 2016-17.
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Simone McGurk said the figures were unacceptably high.
"These current figures confirm what we thought and that is that domestic violence isn't confined to one community or one geographical area. It is pervasive and we need to stop that," Ms McGurk said.
"People need to understand that these are criminal acts. Perpetrators will be held to account."
The State Government says WA has the second-highest rate of domestic violence in the country, behind the Northern Territory.
However, only one in five incidents are reported to police, based on the national average rate of reporting.
"We need people who are experiencing family violence to come forward, seek help," Ms McGurk said.
"Police have told us that by talking about domestic violence, by raising awareness, we might in fact get higher reported incidents."
'Most chaotic, violent incidents': Police Commissioner
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said family violence was a criminal offence, perpetrated against some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
"There are often the most chaotic, violent incidents that a police officer will ever attend," Commissioner Dawson said.
He said the trauma and stress caused by family violence affected all parties involved.
"The chaos, the violence that police are encountering is only what they see at the time. What some people are suffering, they're suffering 24 hours," he said.
The Commissioner said anyone with welfare concerns regarding family violence should contact police on 131 444.
