Abuse happens in churches too.

One thing that seems to take people by surprise is the extent to which domestic abuse happens within Christian relationships.

There is an assumption that Christians are above that kind of thing.

While there has been a lot of research into domestic abuse nationally over the years, the first piece of research into domestic abuse within the church in this country was only published in 2018. It’s called In Churches Too: Church Responses to Domestic Abuse, and is a collaborative piece of work from Coventry and Leicester Universities, the charity Restored, and Churches Together in Cumbria.

It does not make pretty reading.

The findings are that the occurrence of domestic abuse is at least as bad within the Church as outside. Some figures suggest the rate is significantly higher.

It also uncovers the fact that churches are generally inept at dealing with cases of domestic abuse and very often get it wrong and make things worse.

In short, it highlights the claim that the Church is part of the problem, not part of the answer.

Statistically, at least one woman in four sitting in any congregation will be a victim of domestic abuse at some point in her life. Very few churches are geared up to make provision for victims. Very often the teaching of a church makes it an unsafe place for a victim to disclose her abuse. Very often, when she does disclose, she will not be believed and the church will rally round the perpetrator.

Does that sound outrageous?

Maybe, but it’s what happens.

Therefore, the Church in this country has an urgent need to become informed about domestic abuse. We need to learn to recognise the signs; we need to know how to respond so that the victim is kept safe.

Photo Credit: Adrien Olichon

‘Very few churches are geared up to make provision for victims.’