Intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as spousal or domestic violence, is a prevalent form of gender-based violence. It refers to multiple forms of harm caused by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women will experience IPV in her lifetime.
Many suffer brain injuries as a result, since IPV often involves blows to the face, head, and neck. Often times, these injuries result from repetitive episodes of IPV occurring over many months or years.
IPV Statistics:
Many suffer brain injuries as a result, since IPV often involves blows to the face, head, and neck. Often times, these injuries result from repetitive episodes of IPV occurring over many months or years.
IPV Statistics:
- In Canada (per Government of Canada):
- 35-80% of women affected by IPV experience symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Up to 92% of IPV incidents involve hits to the head and face, and strangulation
- Strangulation is one of the most dangerous forms of IPV, increasing the risk of death in following assaults
- Some victims can die weeks after being strangled because of the underlying brain damage, even if there is no visible injury
- In Durham Region (per Durham Regional Police):
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In 2025 IPV was declared an "epidemic" in Canada, following a surge in deaths from police-reported IPV. See https://globalnews.ca/news/10939952/intimate-partner-violence-how-to-spot-holiday-spike/.
As a result, several resources have been created:
In 2025 IPV was declared an "epidemic" in Canada, following a surge in deaths from police-reported IPV. See https://globalnews.ca/news/10939952/intimate-partner-violence-how-to-spot-holiday-spike/.
As a result, several resources have been created:
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Abused and Brain Injured Toolkit This toolkit was created to draw attention to the widely unrecognized intersection of IPV and TBI. The free toolkit serves to provide information, resources, research and practice recommendations for providing trauma-informed service delivery. |
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Brain Injury Canada - The Intersection of IPV and Brain Injury This position paper was created to clearly outline the issues facing survivors of IPV and brain injury, and illustrate that addressing gaps in knowledge can lead to both increased awareness and access to supports. |
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Brain Injury Association of Durham Region (BIAD) - Cross-Sectoral Workshop on Recognizing and Responding to Brain Injury From Intimate Partner Violence (IPV-BI). See BIAD.
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