The National Institutes of Health reports that domestic violence affects roughly ten million people yearly. It equates to one in four women while one in nine men. A medical professional may treat a victim of such an attack at some point in their career.
We see many women’s studies (feminist studies and medical research) on brain injuries, but nothing about battered women and brain injuries. This gap in the literature should make us ask if the victim is aware of such damage.
They must understand never to use violence to solve their problems. Children should be encouraged to speak out and seek help from a trusted adult when they are abused. If you are silently suffering from intimate partner violence, find a trustworthy traumatic brain injury attorney to give you assistance.
The Relationship between Traumatic Brain Injuries and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
IPV is a complex issue, and there is no single cause, nor is the solution the same for everyone. It can arise within various relationship dynamics and between partners from different backgrounds, including poverty, education, and social class. The most important commonality is that IPV almost always stems from a need to control.
Though we have limited data on the number of women with traumatic brain injury brought by domestic violence – the numbers are in the millions in the US alone. The numbers suggest that few women sustain brain injuries severe enough to be diagnosed as concussive. As a result, many women are vulnerable to persistent post-concussive syndrome with completely unknown long-term health risks.
What Are the Symptoms and Signs of IPV-Related TBI?
A traumatic brain injury attorney would consider a concussion is a traumatic brain injury. A TBI is caused by an alteration in consciousness after external trauma or force to the brain. Examples include being hit in the head with a hard object (fist) or having your head slammed against a hard thing (wall).
Dizziness or seeing stars or spots following an event may indicate that your brain was injured, but this is not always the case. A loss of consciousness, which occurs in severe TBIs but not in mild ones, is not required. Within the next few weeks, the victim may show the following symptoms:
- headaches
- dizziness
- feeling depressed or tearful
- being irritable or easily angered
- frustration
- restlessness
- having poor concentration
- sleep disturbances
If a person suspects they have sustained a TBI, they should visit a doctor. If the victim suffers additional TBIs while still symptomatic, it will likely increase the time to recovery and possibly increases the likelihood of more long-term difficulties.
Conclusion
In 1994, congress passed the Violence Against Women Act and since then has provided funding for victims’ shelters, rape prevention, education, and domestic violence programs. Though it is usually called a “women’s issue” (which is exceptionally demeaning), this issue of domestic violence affects men, women, and children. It most certainly is everyone’s issue.
In another piece, the NIH reported that the primary cause of injury to women aged 15-44 is domestic violence. The most appropriate way to prevent domestic violence is by addressing it. Therefore, teaching young children about domestic violence and how to handle it is essential.
Most of all, you should seek the help of a reputable traumatic brain injury attorney in New York. At Ronesmus & Vilensky, we understand the sensitivity of these issues and will work quickly to prevent further emotional distress. Our doors are always open to you, so don’t be afraid to visit us now.