Stella Parton, the sister of country singer Dolly Parton, told Premier she had suffered abuse at home herself and had a good friend who was murdered by her husband.
Along with her musical career Ms Parton works with women who have suffered emotional, mental and physical abuse at the hands of men, leading and helping with several projects.
Her own testimony comes after an annual Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) report found between 2015-2016 (ending in March) prosecutions for crimes against women, including rape, domestic abuse and child abuse, were at an all-time high.
The CPS report also revealed they now make 18.6% of its caseload - nearly one in five cases and double the proportion from six years ago.
Other CPS stats:
200 prosecutions for revenge porn offences since it became illegal last year
Most rape prosecutions recorded (4,643) - with almost 58% of those prosecuted convicted
Child sexual abuse convictions up 17% (4,643 in total)
Speaking on Premier's Inspirational Breakfast Stella Parton said: "It's a cause close to my heart because not only have I experienced it myself, so that's about as close as you can get, but I have actually lost friends to domestic violence.
"One of my dear friends was murdered by her husband when I was in my early twenties, and one of my dear friends was kidnapped and brutally beaten and held for several days by her estranged husband.
"Don't allow yourself to continue to be a victim. Don't be controlled by someone who's fearful because anyone who's abusing you is like a frightened child, they are wounded.
"Find a way to escape... Go to a church or go to a shelter and someone will help you. You have to take the first step."
For advice or more information ring the UK Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247.
Listen to Premier's Rosie Wright speaking to Stella Parton on Inspirational Breakfast:
Speaking on Premier Christian Radio's News Hour programme, Natalie Collins from the Christian organisation for survivors of domestic abuse, said victims can get stuck in bad situations.
She said: "Partly, it's about when we have got a partner who is abusing [and] controlling us they're also somebody that we love and who pretends or suggests that they're loving us too; there's a relationship and we want that relationship to work."
"[For families] within the church [affected by domestic violence], there's an additional pressure around valuing marriage and the pressure to be a nuclear family that can make it even harder to leave.
So, there are lots of reasons why it's very difficult for women to leave when there's an abusive partner."
Natalie also encouraged church leaders to be aware of domestic violence so they are better-placed to spot it.
You can hear Natalie Collins speaking with Premier's Hannah Tooley by clicking here.
