HIGHLIGHTING AN INVISIBLE BRAIN INJURY
One in three women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Most will also suffer a brain injury.
When you consider most physical abuse involves blows to the head, face, neck, and strangulation, it’s not surprising. But while sports concussion dominates news headlines, little attention is paid to how common brain injuries are 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.
What is Intimate Partner Violence (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 a Brain Injury (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 traumatic brain injury 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.
Dr. Angela Colontonio from @UofT is one of a relatively small number of researchers around the world investigating #BI in #IPV. She and her team developed the #abitoolkit, a great resource for survivo...
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Thanks to @MaxBellFdn, the Concussion Awareness Training Tool for Women’s Support Workers was made possible in partnership with @BCIRPU and @sbwellr. It teaches how to recognize signs & symptoms...
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Did you know? Almost 60% of all dating violence happens after the relationship has ended. If you or someone you know needs help, contact @kelownawomensshelter at 250-763-1040. For resources across th...
Read MoreSOAR's work is grounded in recognizing trauma and its effects on survivors. Through our 3-phase initiative to Explore, Educate, and Empower, we are working to help survivors of #IPV who've sustained a...
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SOAR's latest research used behaviour change theory to understand and create recommendations to support screening for brain injuries among survivors of #IPV at women’s shelters. To read the paper, ...
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Our latest #SoarSpotlight is Ph.D. student Stephanie Ashton. Steph is a recently-retired, career RCMP officer who wants to help train police and other professionals about #BI in #IPV. @kelownashelter...
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We are proud to collaborate with @abiwellness in helping survivors of BI recover cognitive function and improve their quality of life. #SoarProject #AbuseSurvivor #IPV @kelownashelter @ubcokanagan #B...
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RT @DrvanDonkelaar: It's the inaugural #ConcussionAwarenessWeek in Canada and a good opportunity to highlight the fact that brain injury is…
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Brain Injury 101: The Abused and Brain Injured Tool Kit is a fabulous resource on #BI in #IPV developed by the team at @abiresearchlab. Check it out here @ubcokanagan @kelownashelter #SoarProject ...
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75% of women’s shelter workers have never screened a client for #BI, even though 92% of #IPV survivors may suffer one. We develop and share training and resources to educate frontline workers and...
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Did you know? In 2019 in Canada, women represented 53% of all victims of violence and 67% of victims of family violence. Visit to learn what we’re doing to help. #SoarProject #BreakTheSilence #Ab...
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SOAR's founders @DrvanDonkelaar and @Kmason10 will present at the NASHIA conference in September! They’ll review the intersection of #IPV and #BI, and address how to educate frontline workers an...
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Dr. @EveValera2 of @harvardmed is recognized internationally for her work in understanding the effects of #BI sustained from #IPV. We are honoured to have her as a valued colleague and member of the S...
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In 2019 in Canada, 71% of victims of family violence were physically assaulted. Many of them suffered a #BI in the process. For resources and information on finding safety across Canada, visit . @k...
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