Victims of domestic violence or abuse normally feel ashamed and responsible for what is happening to them and the church can make a real difference in society by providing a safe, non-judgemental environment where victims can share in confidence, says counsellor and life-skills coach Joanne Robinson.

Churches are being challenged to consider whether they may add to the fear of feeling guilty or being judged when a victim first approaches the church for help, and whether the use of Scripture can be misinterpreted by a victim at a time when they are emotionally vulnerable.

In her article in this month's FaithAction magazine, Robinson makes a plea for churches to consider how they can become places of sanctuary and support for the hundreds of thousands of people caught up in psychological, sexual or financial violence or abuse in domestic households in the UK.

"The perpetrator usually has a pattern of coercing or controlling behaviour towards someone in an intimate or family-type relationship," she writes. "How this affects the church, depends on how aware the church is about the problem and what they are actively doing to help their own church members and wider communities."

She says if victims know that the church is a safe place where abuse is not tolerated, denied or silenced and somewhere they have support systems in place for dealing with the problem, they may be more willing to break the wall of silence and come forward for help.

Robinson, who herself spent many years coming from what she describes as "a violent household" also pleas for long-term support, including setting up a support and accountability group to which the victim can relate once they have removed themselves from further assault and attack.