Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very serious but often undiagnosed consequence of intimate partner violence.  It’s being noticed more in the family violence support sector and is an emerging area for research. 

When we think of TBI – we usually think of AFL football players and concussion.  Or maybe you have children that have sustained a knock to the head from sport?  This year the AFL implemented a rule that when a player is seriously concussed, they must sit out for 12 days.  The AFL and football code have developed management guidelines for serious head injuries. They’ve recognised that head impacts can be associated with serious and potentially fatal brain injuries.  So, why don’t we do the same in the family violence sector around head injuries?

I’m aware that professionals and practitioners supporting women experiencing family violence don’t have the knowledge, training or tools to support women with a suspected TBI.  For these women, it means they aren’t getting the support they need to accomplish their goals and move forward into a life free of abuse.

There’s a huge gap in knowledge and practice around this serious issue.  Women receive significant head trauma from prolonged abuse.  There should be information and resources to provide to clients.  Those who work with women experiencing physical violence should be trained to recognise clients who have experienced a brain injury.  Screening questions for TBI should form part of family violence risk assessments.  And, finally professionals and support staff need to know what approaches should be used to address challenges resulting from TBI and where to get help for clients who have acquired a brain injury. 

If you aren’t doing this as part of your practice, you may be missing critical ways to support your client. 

Educate yourself and your staff

I offer a specialist TBI training workshop – it’s specifically for non-brain specialists who work with women experiencing family violence – so advocates, counsellors, support workers, refuge workers, nurses, GP’s, and police.  In this 3-hour workshop participants will have the knowledge and tools to better accommodate the needs of women experiencing TBI. 

It covers what TBI is, signs and symptoms consequences, impacts and related challenges.  I provide strategies to assist case management with clients including screening, safety planning, support and recovery, and referral to specialist health services.  Attendees are also provided with a variety of practice resources to take away and links to other TBI learning. 

•         Please be advised that the information provided in this particular workshop is primarily for professionals and practitioners who are not brain injury specialists and therefore not directly involved with the treatment of TBI, but who work with women who experience intimate partner violence and TBI in other ways.

Current offerings of the workshops are at:

Perth (Mirrabooka)

When:           Friday 16th July

Time:            1pm to 4pm

Venue:          Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services

                    21 Sudbury Road, Mirrabooka WA 6061

Cost: $50 plus GST

Tickets available at Humanitix

 Kalgoorlie

When:           Wednesday 21st July

Time:            1pm to 4pm

Venue:          Goldfields Women’s Health Care Centre

                    15 Dugan Street, Kalgoorlie WA 6430

Cost: $50 plus GST

Tickets available at Humanitix

If you would like a group booking for your organisation, please contact me on hello@theorangestory.com.au