Pan-Canadian team tackles public health crisis of brain injury from intimate partner violence

The project, "Building awareness and service provider capacity for intimate partner violence brain injury in Canada" was recently funded for $1.7 M by the Public Health Agency of Canada as part of a program called Preventing Gender-Based Violence: The Health Perspective.
March 7, 2025 - Vernon, British Columbia - Thanks to new funding from the Government of Canada, some of the nation's top experts in intimate partner violence-caused brain injury (IPV-BI) have come together to increase knowledge and awareness of this invisible public health crisis, and improve care for those who experience it.

The project, "Building awareness and service provider capacity for intimate partner violence brain injury in Canada" was recently funded for $1.7 M by the Public Health Agency of Canada as part of a program called Preventing Gender-Based Violence: The Health Perspective.

The collaborative, multi-disciplinary project team includes Dr. Angela Colantonio (University of Toronto), Dr. Halina (Lin) Haag (Wilfrid Laurier University), Dr. Michael Ellis (University of Manitoba, Pan Am Clinic), Dr. Paul van Donkelaar (University of British Columbia), and Karen Mason (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research - SOAR).

"Almost half (44%) of Canadian women and girls over the age of 15 report experiencing violence at the hands of a partner in their lifetime. Given research indicates as many as 92% of those will suffer blows to the face, head, and neck, which can contribute to brain injury, this issue is clearly affecting thousands of women across the country, and deserves serious attention," says Mason.

"Our research to date indicates brain injury is happening in much higher numbers, and having more chronic effects in survivors, than most researchers, health care practitioners, and other frontline workers realize," adds Dr. van Donkelaar.

Unrecognized and undiagnosed IPV-BI can severely impact the ability to recover, survive within, or flee an abusive relationship. Violence can occur repetitively and can lead to long-term, debilitating symptoms, including issues with sleep, memory, and cognition, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and maladaptive coping behaviours such as substance use.

The project seeks to improve public and service provider knowledge and awareness of IPV-BI, and equip multi-sector service providers with the training, tools and resources they need to recognize and respond to the issue. The project will also refine a systems of care framework for health care professionals and other service providers, and create a national centre for IPV-BI in the form of a centralized, online hub where people can access information, research, resources and experts.

"While our understanding of the links between IPV and BI, and their long-term implications, are still in their infancy, interest in this topic is growing rapidly," points out Dr. Haag. "Developing a one-stop shop where survivors of IPV, members of the public, health care and other service providers, and researchers, can get up-to-date, evidence-based information and resources is critical."

Indigenous women are more than three times more likely to experience IPV, and are at higher risk of experiencing more severe and life-threatening forms of violence compared to non-Indigenous women. Women in Nunavut, in particular, are the victims of violent crime at a rate more than 13 times higher than the rate for women in Canada as a whole, and in 2016, Nunavut had the highest rate of female victims of police-reported family violence in Canada.

In an effort to address that, the project will undertake targeted educational and awareness activities in Nunavut, including a series of in-community training events for frontline workers, and development and dissemination of an informational video and educational materials.

"Those who sustain intimate partner violence brain injury in remote northern communities in Canada face significant barriers accessing the medical care and wrap-around support they deserve" confirms Dr. Ellis. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with survivors, Elders, and frontline service providers from across Nunavut to develop culturally specific educational resources to help build capacity to support survivors and their families."

The multi-faceted project will span three years and include ongoing involvement and consultation from an expert advisory committee made up of service providers, decision-makers, researchers, community agencies and survivors of IPV.

"Survivors of violence are the primary experts, and centring their experiences and input is critical to this work," emphasizes Dr. Colantonio. "Survivors know what they need, and they know what works and what doesn't when it comes to addressing their needs. Our team is looking forward to working closely with members of our expert advisory committee to drive and inform all aspects of the project."

For more information on IPV-BI, visit the SOAR website [https://soarproject.ca/] and the Abused and Brain Injured Toolkit. [https://www.abitoolkit.ca/]

For more information:

Karen Mason, co-founder and executive director

Karen.mason@soarproject.ca [mailto:Karen.mason@soarproject.ca]

About SOAR

Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR) [https://soarproject.ca/] works with academic researchers, health care providers, and community partners to investigate the intersection of brain injury and intimate partner violence, and apply scientific evidence to increase awareness and improve supports and services. SOAR seeks to significantly improve outcomes for survivors of brain injury from intimate partner violence by conducting and advancing research, increasing education and awareness, and influencing and enhancing policies and professional practice. Founded in 2016, SOAR is a registered charity and the only organization in Canada with a singular focus on brain injury from intimate partner violence.

Media Contact
Company Name: Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR)
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