'You're not alone': Victoria group supports women with brain injuries caused by domestic violence
A Victoria non-profit group has launched a unique program to support women who have suffered brain injuries stemming from domestic abuse, an issue that it says can fly under the community's radar.
The Victoria Cridge Centre is operating a one-of-a-kind program called the Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury Program.
According to the group, about one in three Canadian women experience intimate partner violence. Of those who do, up to 90 per cent end up with a brain injury, which can often go unreported or undiagnosed.
"So that comes out to about 200,000 women that are impacted by intimate partner violence and brain injury [each year]," said Measha Gallagher, coordinator of the Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury Program.
A local mom, who asked only to be identified as Sasha for her protection, says she's grateful for the program, which can help with housing needs, navigating community resources, parenting and other daily activities.
"It's so essential to just getting back into being a part of the community," she said.
"I'm now able to volunteer every week and I'm really starting to engage in the community the way I used to, so it's been an incredible change for me," she said.
Sasha has been managing a head injury that was caused by her former partner.
She says the injury has made her fearful because it sometimes causes confusion.
"It's humiliating just not being able to count on myself anymore," she said.
Adding to her grief, her kids have had to step up to help, she says.
"They got very accustomed to moving things like milk out of the cupboard and into the fridge," she said.
"I could see them doing these things and I realized this is bigger than PTSD, this was a problem."
The Cridge Centre is helping about 20 women, including Sasha, through its program.
"The whole premise around it is that the clients, whoever they are, they drive the ship," said Gallagher.
"They're the ones telling us what they need and we get to help them figure out how to get there," she said.
The Cridge Centre says it would like to expand the program to more women but it would require more funding.
It hopes Sasha's story will help spread awareness about the connection between intimate partner violence and brain injuries.
"You're not alone," noted Sasha. "It feels like you are but you are not."
"I understand," she said. "If you're ready, there is a different life out there for you."
More information about the Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury Program can be found on the Victoria Cridge Centre website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6% in January as Quebec strikes end
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.