TWO out of three Australian women will experience at least one incident of physical or sexual violence, at the hands of a man, in their lifetime.

Evidence of domestic violence can be found in Port Stephens with close to 300 people seeking help from the Yacaaba Centre at Nelson Bay during 2008-2009 after violence in the home.

At Raymond Terrace the neighbourhood centre sees at least one family which is affected by domestic violence each week.

As a result the Port Stephens Domestic Violence Committee is pushing for a women and children's refuge at Raymond Terrace.

It is promoting White Ribbon Day, an initiative that urges men to vow they will never harm a woman.

"It's about encouraging men to take a firm stance against violence against women," Port Stephens Council's community safety officer Helen Smyth said.

"Domestic violence is everywhere and Port Stephens has homeless women and children, they just may not be as visible as some."

The committee will hold a breakfast to note the ribbon day at the council chambers on November 25.

Port Stephens police crime manager Peter Fox will speak at the breakfast about his experiences dealing with domestic violence incidents.

The breakfast will also launch the campaign to raise funds for the refuge.

"We're using it as a sort of launch to let businesses and others within the community know of the importance of the refuge," Ms Smyth said. "It's going to require at least $700,000 in funding to run each year."

The breakfast is free - for more details contact Helen Smyth on 4980 0190.