HIGHLIGHTING AN INVISIBLE INJURY
One in three women will experience intimate partner violence. Most will also suffer a brain injury.
When you consider most physical abuse involves blows to the head, face, and neck, and strangulation, it’s not surprising. But while sports concussion dominates news headlines, little attention is paid to how common brain injury is among survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).
SOAR (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research) works to change that through a unique, multi-disciplinary research collaboration between University of British Columbia – Okanagan and Kelowna Women’s Shelter.
Get The Facts
What is IPV?
The term intimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former intimate partner or spouse.
IPV is also known as domestic abuse or gender-based violence, and is a major public health concern that destroys lives, devastates families, and affects communities around the world.
One in three women will experience IPV in her lifetime.
In Canada alone, it’s estimated 230,000 women between 20 and 54 will experience severe violence at the hands of an intimate partner every year.
The federal Department of Justice estimates the annual costs associated with IPV exceed $7.4B.
What is BI?
A brain injury (BI) is an alteration in brain function caused by external forces, or a reduction in oxygen supply. A concussion is a form of BI caused by a hard blow or jolt to the head, neck, or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.
In intimate partner violence (IPV), a concussion can happen from a variety of causes, including being:
- Punched, or hit with an object.
- Violently shaken.
- Pushed down stairs.
- Thrown out of a moving vehicle.
RT @DrvanDonkelaar: Looking forward to presenting the latest data on changes in brain function following #IPV-related #TBI from the @Canada…
Read MoreRT @ResearchonWH: In honour of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we've released a new blog post by the amazi…
Read MoreToday is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women (1 in 3 experiencing intimate partner violence) is one of the "most devastating human rights violat...
Read MoreRT @BCMedicalJrnl: Online training for women’s support workers to recognize #braininjury in survivors of intimate partner violence. A free…
Read MoreRT @Kmason10: This book is incredible and we're delighted its amazing author, @RLSWrites will be one of our keynote speakers at a two-day c…
Read MoreRT @cattonline: Did you know? Brain injuries in survivors of intimate partner violence often go unrecognized, unreported, and untreated? Le…
Read MoreRT @DrvanDonkelaar: Looking forward to presenting with @Kmason10 at the @DVConference on 11/13. We will be discussing the results of the @C…
Read MoreFree Conference! February 24 and 25, 2021. SOAR is hosting a free conference about putting knowledge of brain injury in intimate partner violence into practice. Visit our website for more information ...
Read More
RT @DrvanDonkelaar: Wonderful turn out yesterday at the @BCSTH Annual Training Forum for our overview of the @cattonline module for women's…
Read MoreRT @UBCO_Research: New online training will help frontline workers support survivors of brain injury in intimate partner violence https://t…
Read MoreOur friends at the Ohio Domestic Violence Network are hosting an incredible training session on brain injury in intimate partner violence. Check it out:
Read MoreRT @ubconews: .@UBC_HES researchers team up to launch free e-learning course to help frontline workers support survivors of brain injury in…
Read MoreToday is the launch of the @cattonline for Women’s Support Workers. We would like to thank @Women_Canada and the #maxbellfoundation for funding the development and distribution of this important, on...
Read MoreThe Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) online for Women’s Support Workers is live! This free, online course we developed with UBC is designed to educated those who work with survivors of inti...
Read MoreJoin the conversation on Mental Health, Addictions, and Brain Injury services in B.C. Dr. Paul van Donkelaar and Karen Mason are looking forward to speaking on behalf of SOAR on November 3. Register a...
Read MoreRT @cattonline: Did you know that it can be hours or a few days before signs of a concussion appear? These include headache, dizziness, irr…
Read MoreWe are looking for input from healthcare professionals who work with people who have experienced a brain injury. Please follow the link below to fill out the survey. #TBI
Read MoreRT @DrvanDonkelaar: Looking forward to seeing #ThisHitsHome, a new documentary about brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence…
Read More“Dr. Williams is urging the New South Wales Government to adopt a concussion protocol for family and domestic violence victims.” So many concussions from domestic violence go unnoticed. Protocols ...
Read MoreThis report highlights findings from a national survey to "understand the impact of COVID-19 on gender-based violence services and survivors in Canada"
Read MoreSoar Is Supported By:
