The severity of physical violence on women who are battered experience is well-known, yet until recently awareness of the connection between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and battering has commonly been lacking within the advocacy, law enforcement, and even the medical fields. This has resulted in misdiagnosis, neglect, and revictimization of women who have been battered and suffer from TBI. It is not difficult to imagine that many of these women have been labeled as “uncooperative,” “non-compliant,” “neglectful parents” and “difficult.” Hopefully, the information presented here will lead to changes in attitudes, policies, and procedures that provide appropriate care and assistance supporting recovery from TBI for all survivors.
Research studies on the incidence of traumatic brain injury in domestic violence cases have revealed:
• More than 90% of all injuries secondary to domestic violence occur to the head, neck, or face region. (2017 De Caro & Kaplen).
• According to one survey of women in domestic violence shelters, an estimated 92 percent of women had been hit in the head by their partners, 83 percent had been both hit in the head and severely shaken, and nearly 80 percent had been hit in the head over 20 times in the previous year. (Sojourner Center article 2015)
• In a 2003 study, it was found that of the 99 battered women he studied, 75% sustained at least one partner-related brain injury and 50% sustained multiple partner-related injuries. (Alabama Head Injury Foundation)
Please follow the link below to read additional information regarding traumatic brain injury due to domestic violence.
The first step in eliminating domestic violence is an educated community.
https://www.niwrc.org/sites/default/files/files/reports/TBI%20Booklet.pdf
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