PURPLE THURSDAY

WHY PURPLE THURSDAY IS SO IMPORTANT

Brain injury caused by intimate partner violence (IPV) became a shadow pandemic during the Covid-19 pandemic as women were isolated and confined by public health restrictions and fears of endangering their families with Covid-19 exposure (Haag et al., 2022). The pandemic exacerbated the conditions that put women at risk of experiencing violence which often causes brain injury.

Up to 90% of IPV incidents involve hits to the head, face and neck, including strangulation (Haag et al., 2022). Research on this intersection indicates that up to 75% of women who experience IPV also experience brain injury (Toccalino et al., 2022).

The recommendations coming out of the 2022 research by Toccalino et al. call for wider knowledge sharing throughout communities as so many come into contact with those who experience IPV. It calls for “cross-sectoral education through community networks.” It further reports that “Stakeholders also flagged the lack of healthcare professionals in remote and rural contexts and highlighted the importance of education for individuals in community support roles. Local librarians, school support, individuals from religious organizations, and community officers were identified as key audiences.”

Brain injury associations initiated the Purple Thursday project to create and distribute educational materials, sessions and webinars to raise awareness of this shadow pandemic at the intersection of IPV and brain injury.

We aim to better inform people who experience IPV about the symptoms and repercussions of brain injury as well as those who work with them. Shelter staff, first responders, medical professionals need to be aware of IPV-related brain injury so they can provide targeted supports. It is expected that by raising awareness about IPV caused brain injury that untreated brain injuries will be reduced and those experiencing IPV will be better served.

For more information, please visit: https://abitoolkit.ca/