HIGHLIGHTING AN INVISIBLE BRAIN INJURY
One in three women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Most will also suffer a brain injury as a result of the abuse.
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) is a multi-disciplinary, community-engaged, research initiative that began as a collaboration between the University of British Columbia (UBC) – Okanagan and Kelowna Women’s Shelter in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
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. Adhikari is, of course, @spadhikari2021 !
Read MoreThis is exciting! SOAR is attending The 14th World Congress on Brain Injury in Dublin, Ireland! @DrvanDonkelaar, @kmason10, Dr. Shambhu Adhikari, and @roryamarshall will all be presenting. Stay tune...
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Our co-founder and director of community practice @kmason10 was honoured to contribute expertise to this important project led by @enigmaipv. #ipvbi #abuseisneverokay #supportsurvivors ...
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#IWD2023 is a day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination, and take action to drive gender parity. This year’s theme is #embracingequity. To learn more about how...
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Read it at: @DrvanDonkelaar @Kmason10 @spadhikari2021 @naomi_mr_ @hannahvarto
Read MoreWe're pleased to announce that our article "Characterizing Possible Acute Brain Injury in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: A Retrospective Chart Review" was accepted into the journal, Vio...
Read MoreOur Australian colleagues at Insight Exchange are offering 3 virtual sessions for Canadians based on their module “Understanding and Responding to Strangulation.” To sign up your team head to #...
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We support Bill C-277 to develop a national strategy on #BI. Share support by emailing your MP, and signing the petition, below. Read the blog: Email your MP: https://t.co/X4DCqaXcx2 Sign the p...
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The 4 S’s of Reporting a Concussion: SPOT the incident or symptoms in yourself or others. SHARE this information with a trusted person. SEEK care. SUPPORT yourself or the injured individual. T...
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Red flag #BI symptoms that require immediate medical help: 🚩Neck pain 🚩Double vision 🚩Seizure 🚩Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs 🚩Severe headache 🚩Loss of consciousness ...
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“Women are held to a much higher standard when it comes to mental health and substance use and classic ideas of what makes a good parent,” - @qboyle6 Thanks @moirawyton for reporting on this rese...
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#SOAR post-doctoral fellow Shambhu Adhikari is getting ready to present at the Next Gen Rehab Interventions for Pediatric Concussion: A Multi-disciplinary International Research Symposium in Vancouv...
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RT @DrvanDonkelaar: Thanks to @moirawyton and @TheTyee for profiling this work from @qboyle6 as part of the @CanadaSoar project. @DeanaSimo…
Read MoreRT @PinkConcussions: Could a TBI dx be a double-edge ⚔️ ? “Not only do Indigenous women need to worry about intimate partner violence & TBI…
Read MoreNew from our friends @mawsmanitoba and @UM_RESOLVE, "Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use: Training for Professionals Working with Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence". The course is free...
Read MoreAre you a Punjabi or English-speaking South Asian women living in BC? We are looking for research participants to take part in a survey on their experience with intimate partner violence. Pl...
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We're so proud to be a partner in this with the Embrace Clinic: "Strangulation clinic in Surrey offers specialized care for survivors of partner violence" @baneet_braich @cbcnews @HannahVarto https...
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“This paper...looks at how the legal system might use a brain injury diagnosis in parenting disputes, and how women are unfairly treated—including during a custodial challenge.” - @drvandonkelaa...
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The interview starts at 43:31
Read More@DrvanDonkelaar and @kmason10 had the pleasure of being interviewed for the BBC show Woman's Hour about #IPV-caused #BI. Thanks to @BBCNuala and @BBCWomansHour for shining a spotlight on this importan...
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Soar Is Supported By:
