A local organization is raising awareness about the link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and acquired brain injury (ABI) as it can have life-altering impacts, making the recovery process more challenging for survivors.
The Women's Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton launched a community-based research project last year after it received grant funding from the Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health.
A summary of the report provided to Sarnia News Today indicated the forms of IPV that can cause brain injury include blows to the head or neck and strangulation.
The community-based research project, initially led by Dr. Jennifer Vansteenkiste, included three focus groups and a pilot support group. In total, the focus groups involved 15 participants.
IPV and ABI Navigator Melissa Guérette Greening said the symptoms reported by participants varied.
"A lot of women reported personality changes that they didn't understand, confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty navigating social settings, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound, emotional dysregulation -- so getting upset easier than they normally would have before the brain injury," she said.
Guérette Greening said one thing that stood out during this process was that a lot of women did not have a formal brain injury diagnosis.
In fact, most didn't realize they had symptoms of a brain injury until the Women's Interval Home released a poster asking if people had experienced IPV and if they experienced any of the various symptoms listed.
"It was self discovery for a lot of the women," Guérette Greening said.
She said they were also surprised when the participants of the first focus group all indicated they had hearing problems.
Also surprising, was that these instances weren't being caught in the medical system or at the shelter.
"So navigating the process of trying to recover out of a domestic violence situation was even harder for them," said Guérette Greening.
According to information shared through the SOAR (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research) project, an estimated 12,000 people in Sarnia-Lambton could have IPV-related ABI. Guérette Greening said that number was extrapolated based on the resolution that up to 92 per cent of IPV incidents involve actions that put women at high risk of ABI.
As a result of the local research project, the shelter has changed its intake process to help identify if a person is at risk of having a brain injury.
Guérette Greening said they've also identified a better referral process so individuals don't have to wait long periods of time without a diagnosis.
The Interval Home has applied for another grant from Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health to expand services.
"Ideally, the women indicated that they would really like to have, what we're referring to as an ABI navigator, who could accompany them to various appointments if necessary, help them locate resources, and also just provide education and training on what is a brain injury," Guérette Greening said.
If successful in receiving funding, Guérette Greening said they would also like to continue running support groups. She said many of the women who participated in the focus groups felt alone.
"A lot of the women blamed themselves. They didn't realize that symptoms were an indication of brain injury, so they would think, 'Well, I'm stupid. I'm forgetful. I'm going crazy.' There was a lot of self blame," she said. "Having a group where the women could talk, learn from various practitioners who would come and talk to them, then they started putting the pieces together and understanding how they can get help and how they can improve."
Next steps also include advocating for enhancements in medical and social services, ongoing staff training, and shelter enhancements -- such as adding soundproofing in meeting rooms.
The Women's Interval Home held a community event on April 28 to discuss the long-term impacts of abuse. During the event, three of the survivors also shared their stories.
"We're really thankful for the survivors who chose to take the risk and make their stories known," said Guérette Greening.
The Women's Interval Home will post research findings on its website.