BEYOND FOOTBALL - PARTNER INFLICTED BRAIN INJURY

THEIR BRAINS RIVAL THOSE OF NFL PLAYERS

Almost a third of Americans who sustain a concussion experience long-term effects known as persistent post-concussive symptoms or PPCS or post-concussion syndrome PCS. That's why we are passionate about advocating for partner inflicted brain injury awareness.
Most women do not know they are suffering from a TBI because of the symptom overlap between a concussion and the negative effects of intimate partner violence i.e. anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, and difficulty concentrating.
Brain injuries from intimate partner violence can also be inflicted by strangulation. 

MINORITY WOMEN

In the context of IPV, many minority women have misconceptions that may further impact their ability to seek treatment. In addition, minority women might have more trouble leaving violent IPV situations due to difficulties resuming household/workplace duties. 

INCARCERATED WOMEN

Female inmates convicted of violent crime are more likely to have sustained a pre-crime TBI and/or physical abuse. Symptoms of brain injury (irritability) may be misinterpreted as insolence and punished. 

We value the relationships and the opportunities to collaborate with individuals and organizations like the Iowa Department of Public Health ACBI Prevention Task Force and Council on Brain Injury Prevention, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Disability Rights of Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Corrections. 

OUR NEXT CALL TO ACTION 

We need to screen victims for a traumatic brain injury within two weeks of a domestic abuse protection notice or order being issued, or within two weeks of a domestic abuse charge against an alleged perpetrator. 

We need to screen female prisoners for TBI and other forms of acquired brain injury, including concussion, within two weeks of starting their sentence.