Overview
Brain injuries can result from abuse because acts of violence often target the head. It is important to be aware of the link between violence and brain injury so that abuse related injuries can be recognized and addressed as part of treatment and recovery.
Forms of physical violence that could result in Traumatic Brain Injury:
- hitting an individual on the head with an object
- smashing an individual’s head against a wall
- pushing an individual on the ground or downstairs
- violently shaking an individual
Forms of physical violence that could result in Non-Traumatic Brain Injury:
- Strangling can be manual (use of hands or forearm) or ligature (use of rope, scarf, belt, etc.).
- Suffocating can include covering an individual’s mouth and/or nose or other means that deprive oxygen.The amount of time without oxygen will determine the extent of severity.
Do you know someone who is in need of help?
If you or someone you know sustained a brain injury from abuse, contact us today for support and resources at 1-800-669-4323.
EMAIL US FOR INFOTypes of abuse
Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship between current or former spouses, dating partners, or individuals in a close relationship.
Statistics
- 1 in 5 women have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner
- 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner
Children may experience abuse by a parent, caregiver, or from another person in their life like a teacher or a coach. Physical abuse can include things like hitting, kicking, or shaking.
What is Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), or Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), usually occurs when a parent, guardian or caregiver becomes angry or frustrated by a behavior, usually crying. To stop the behavior, the child is violently shaken, hit, or thrown, which may result in bleeding around the child’s brain. It can result from as little as five seconds of shaking. These injuries are typically very significant. Infants and young children cannot report symptoms, so it is important to note signs of AHT/SBS, such as
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Decreased consciousness
- Unable to lift head
- Unequal pupil size
- Bruising on face, head, arms, chest or back
- Poor feeding or unexplained vomiting
- Unusual irritability
- Swelling
Statistics
- It is estimated that up to 1400 cases of AHT/SBS are reported each year in the United States
- Babies under 12 monthsare most vulnerable because their neck muscles are weak and their heads are proportionally large, making their brains more susceptible to injury from shaking
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse refers to actions or failures to act that endanger the health, safety, or well-being of older adults, typically those aged 60 or 65 and older, by someone in a position of trust, such as a family member, caregiver, or friend.
Statistics
- Research indicates that about 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of abuse, though many cases go unreported due to fear, dependency, or inability to communicate. The prevalence may be higher among seniors who are ill, disabled, or socially isolated.
Treating an IPV Survivor
View assessment and intervention strategies for the healthcare provider treating an IPV survivor.
The Impact of Abuse
Many survivors of abuse may not realize they sustained a brain injury because they never “passed out”, but a brain injury can occur without the loss of consciousness.
Brain injury and abuse survivors may experience difficulty with:
- Assessing danger and defending themselves against assaults
- Developing and remembering safety plans
- Going to school or holding a job (increasing financial dependency on the abuser)
- Leaving abusive partner and living on own
- Accessing services and supports
- Retaining custody of children
