However it’s not a ploy to get dad out of the pub - the coasters are spreading a message about the impact of domestic violence on children.

They carry the message “family violence hurts children too” and display the number of a men’s helpline.

“The program’s mainly directed at men who may not be the perpetrators... but who may know of families that are experiencing it,” said Deborah Evans-Clark, from the Southern Highlands Domestic Violence Committee that has developed the campaign.

In 2006 there were 124 reported domestic violence related assaults in Wingecarribee Shire.

That is 39 per cent of all assaults reported to police for the same period.

Ms Evans-Clark warns that these statistics could be understated because many women do not feel able to speak out due to negative community attitudes, feelings of guilt, shame and fear of retribution.

Furthermore, studies show the impacts on children include contributing to aggressive behaviour, phobias, anxiety, depression, self-esteem and poor academic performance.