Services and Resources
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DV-Head Trauma Private Consultation
DV-TBI/CTE Training and Education
We provide private consultation for individuals
We provide private consultation for families
Private consultation is available in Spanish or English
We provide training for first responders, education institutes, and service providers including neighborhood groups, churches, community clinics, hospitals, government, social welfare, legal, and others.
Available in Spanish or English
Resources
Where to Get Help: TBI and CTE
Formal Support
Brain Injury Resources
Although there are organizations and groups that are focused on providing help and support for contact sports and veterans with TBI, head injury, and potential CTE, there are few specifically focused on domestic violence victims, thrivers, and survivors. When contacting these groups, you might find yourself advocating for yourself or your loved one. These are some groups that can offer support for domestic violence victims, survivors, and thrivers living with TBI, brain trauma, or potential CTE, their families, caregivers, and loved ones:
Brain Injury Association of America – National Brain Injury Information, call 1-800-444-6443, or Find a Brain Injury Association in your state
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators – Get information on programs in your state
United States Brain Injury Alliance – Find a Brain Injury Alliance in your state
Military Health System’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence – Get patient and family resources
Domestic Violence Brain Injury Resources
United States
Arizona – Brain Injury Center at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is located in Arizona. They provide services for primarily professional athletes and other individuals with brain injuries including female victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Virginia – Brain Injury Association of Virginia – Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury. If you suspect you or your loved one is suffering from DV-TBI and live in the state of Virginia, please contact them for services and resources.
Connecticut – Trinity College – Pioneering the study of brain injuries experienced by survivors of domestic violence, the ReMIND Lab at Trinity College brings attention to the effects of domestic abuse that are invisible to the eye. The ReMIND Lab focuses on providing feedback on any possible brain injury, resources, and care to women in the Hartford area, who are the participants of its current study. Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Sarah A. Raskin, PhD, and her student researchers diagnose participants and provide them with proper care and resources. If you want further information and/or want to be part of this study, you can contact raskinlab@trincoll.edu.
Canada
Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR), based in the Okanagan Region of British Columbia, Canada. They provide support to DV-TBI female victims and survivors.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Information
Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF)– CLF is based in the United States with chapters in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It primarily supports athletes, veterans, and others affected by concussions and CTE. It aims to promote smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation, and End CTE through prevention and research. Although they do not serve victims or survivors of domestic violence -head injury, they provide excellent information about CTE.
Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center conducts high-impact, innovative research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes, military personnel, first responders, victims of physical violence, and others affected by head trauma. The mission of the CTE Center is to conduct state-of-the-art research on CTE, including its neuropathology and pathogenesis, clinical presentation, genetics and other risk factors, biomarkers, methods of detection during life, and methods of prevention and treatment. They are an excellent resource to learn the latest brain science on CTE.
Informal Network Support
We acknowledge disenfranchised communities affected by domestic violence, trauma brain injury, and potential CTE that have historically been systemically isolated from formal systems of care due to discrimination, racism, and other social injustice and intersectionality issues. Hence, if you seek help from your clergy, pastor, or another religious organization, your local community confidant, curandero (healer), or a trusted friend, please let them know about your head injury so that they can help you seek needed resources and services. You can point them to our website in case they are unaware of the DV-TBI and DV-CTE pandemic. You can also contact us as we are experienced in serving minority communities impacted by domestic violence, head injury, and its health consequences such as CTE. We are here to support you.
Safety Planning Tips
- For immediate emergencies, please call or text 911
- You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help developing your safety plan tailored to your particular situation 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
- Informal Systems of Support. Immigrants, minority women, and other disenfranchised communities are distrustful of formal support networks and instead turn to their informal network for help. Please ensure you consult with someone you trust such as a friend, acquaintance, spiritual guide, or counselor that can help you develop a safety plan. It is vital that this trusted individual have experience developing safety plans or knows where to seek information to assist you with it.
- Undocumented – Fear of Deportation. Do not let this deter you from leaving your violent relationship. Many immigrants are fearful of admitting that are DV victims because they believe they will be removed (deported) from the US if they report the crime. U.S. law provides several protections for legal and undocumented immigrants who are DV victims and victims of other crimes. There are specific protections for victims of DV and other specific crimes. Please read the Immigration Options for Victims of Crime brochure carefully to get informed about your rights as a DV victims. It is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Urdu. You can also get more information by visiting the Immigration Options for Victims of Crime website.
- Safety. It is critical that you and everyone who is leaving and involved in the domestic violent environment or situation are safe.
- Important Documents. Gather and collect important documents such as ID, birth certificates, SSI cards, working permits, marriage license, divorce or custody orders, orders of protection, naturalization certificate, passport, and child/ren medical and school records.
- Plan Where You Are Going to Stay Once You Leave. If you have children, make sure you can take your children. Most DV shelters in the US do not allow older children in their facilities. Make sure you get age limit details.
- The Family Pet. If you have a pet, make sure that you can take your pet with you where you plan to go. Most DV shelters do not allow them in their facilities.
- Guns. If there is a gun in the house, consult with your local police department to get information about how to best manage safe removal of the gun.
- Overnight Bag. Have an overnight bag ready if you need to leave quickly and know where it is located.
- There are other strategies you can consider so it is important to consult with a an experienced individual and/or consult with National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) to help you develop a safety plan for your particular situation.
