October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

One cause of brain injury that is often under-reported and under researched is domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. Domestic violence can happen to anyone – it affects people of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic classes. The research on the intersection between brain injury and domestic violence is limited and also because many instances of abuse go unreported by victims.

What can you do to support an individual with a brain injury who has experienced domestic violence? Follow the B.A.S.E.R. model …

B – Believe them, A – Affirm, S – Support, E – Empower, R – Refer to necessary supports (like the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa and the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

Some of the most noticeable signs of brain injury in domestic violence are loss of consciousness, headache, nausea/vomiting, fatigue or drowsiness, problems with speech, difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual, dizziness or loss of balance, memory or concentration problems, mood changes, feeling depressed or anxious, withdrawn, bruising, substance abuse, ability to make decisions, changes in vision, impulsiveness or having issues with initiation. Strangulation is also another common form of domestic violence that can lead to a brain injury due to asphyxia and unconsciousness. Victims of multiple strangulation attacks or longer durations of unconsciousness are at greater risk of TBI.

Service providers should keep in mind that brain injury can make it harder for a victim of domestic violence to assess danger and defend against assaults, make and remember safety plans, go to school or hold a job/increase financial dependency on the abuser, leave an abusive partner, access services, and adapt to living in a shelter/residential program for victims of violence.

If you need help creating a safety plan, call the statewide domestic violence hot line at 1-800-770-1650 or text ‘IOWAHELP’ to 20121. Also, you can always reach out to the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa if you are looking for support with navigating life after a brain injury, there is hope and you don’t have to do this alone.

We thank the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence for the important work they do. Domestic Violence Action Month Activities