According to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, of the 285 domestic violence incidents recorded in Port Stephens in 2013, 118 were alcohol related.

"Alcohol is not the cause of domestic violence, but alcohol tends to be an associated factor," Port Stephens Local Area Command domestic violence liaison officer, Senior Constable Lisa Holloway, said.

Recognising alcohol as a factor in domestic violence has lead to police teaming up with the Australian Hotels Association NSW in delivering the new initiative, announced by Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres last Wednesday.

The initiative, which has no specific name, will see 600,000 drink coasters bearing anti-domestic violence messages distributed across the state.

Electronic posters with messages reading "domestic violence is not about losing control - it is control" will be displayed on digital signboards within pubs and clubs across the state.

Senior Constable Holloway said about 70,000 coasters and posters would be rolled out to pubs across the Port in about six weeks.

"The initiative is one of the agenda items for the next liquor accord meeting in about six weeks time," Senior Constable Holloway said.

It will be up to hoteliers and licensees if they wish to take part and distribute the coasters and poster in their venues.

Senior Constable Holloway said she was confident many would be supportive of the initiative, which was aimed to generate conversation and help bring the issue of domestic violence into the open.

"I think that it [initiative] will help raise an awareness amongst men, especially as men are usually the perpetrators of domestic violence," she said.