This is often because of the specific wishes of the victim or because of a lack of evidence

Chief Inspector Maureen Brown

More than half, (14,639) did not lead to the recording of a crime; 39% were recorded as an offence and only 5% recorded as crimes.

In 66% of cases, reports were made to the procurator fiscal with offences ranging from petty assault and breach of the peace to vandalism and non-sexual crimes.

About 33% of those bringing a complaint were repeat domestic violence victims. A third had reported two or three previous incidents, in a tenth of cases there had been four or five previous incidents and in 6% of cases there had been between six and 10 previous incidents.

The majority of incidents took place at home and females at most risk of becoming a victim were aged between of 26 and 30.

Only 5% of cases were recorded as a crime

In the Grampian Police area, officers attended 4,023 incidents during the eight months. More than 81% (3,267), were recorded as crimes.

Chief Inspector Maureen Brown, head of Grampian's community development department, said not all incidents were reported to the fiscal.

"This is often because of the specific wishes of the victim or because of a lack of evidence.

"Where this happens, a network of support will be offered to the victim, ranging from referral to Women's Aid to Victim Support or advice on their options," she added.

Scottish Women's Aid contrasted the figure of 26,000 incidents with the 58,000 calls it took in the last year.

A spokeswoman said the official figures were just the tip of the iceberg.

Last year the Scottish Executive established the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund - which stands at �3m - to help long-term initiatives.

But the Scottish National Party's Nicola Sturgeon criticised the level of aid to groups which help domestic abuse victims.