The World Health Organization reports that 1 in 3 women will experience physical intimate partner violence at some point in their lifetime. In Canada, almost half (44%) of women in a relationship report experiencing some form of IPV. 

The Intersection of IPV and BI

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as actions by a current or former intimate or dating partner that cause physical, sexual or psychological harm. These include physical assault, psychological abuse, sexual coercion, and controlling behaviours. The most common forms of physical violence during IPV include assault to the head, face, and neck. Many of these types of assault can cause a brain injury (BI) such as hits to the head or face with hands or an object, non-fatal strangulation (commonly called choking), being thrown down stairs or up against a hard object, being shaken or kicked. People of all races, sexes, genders, socio-economic and educational backgrounds, and cultural identities can be victimized by intimate partner violence. However, statistically, more women than men will experience IPV and it is more likely that women will experience a brain injury as a result of exposure to physical IPV than men will. Much of the research, knowledge, and resources that we have available focuses on women survivors for this reason.

Brain injuries change how your brain works and can affect how you think and feel. You don’t need to lose consciousness to sustain a brain injury – sometimes it is as simple as an “alteration in brain function” like feeling dazed or confused or seeing stars or black spots. Some people talk about “having their bell rung” when they describe this feeling. There are lots of different challenges that survivors can face after experiencing IPV-BI. 

Executive Functioning and Emotional Regulation

Some of the most likely areas of the brain to be damaged by IPV-BI are the parts that control our executive functions and emotional regulation. These include things like planning, organizing, multi-tasking, decision-making, emotional stability, and impulse control. These are exactly the skills needed to assess the circumstances and plan and execute a safe and successful exit strategy. This complex injury may be making it harder for women to break free, leaving them in this cycle and increasing the damage year over year.

Safety Risks & Oversight

Compounding the challenges, many of these women are either unable or unwilling to seek medical help because of safety reasons or having experienced unsatisfactory care during previous attempts. Even when they do, they are often treated for obvious injuries such as cuts, bruises, and broken bones, while a brain injury is frequently overlooked and left undiagnosed. This makes it harder for survivors to get access to appropriate medical care and social supports.

Survivors are often unaware they have sustained a brain injury and are therefore unlikely to seek care. It is reported that up to 75% of women do not seek care for suspected brain injury.²