December 10 is Human Rights Day, closing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10. During this time, we’re called to reflect on how deeply gender-based violence (GBV) violates human rights. #HumanRightsDay #16Days #EndGBV #SOAR

Brain injury is an overlooked outcome of IPV, up to 92% of survivors may experience one. SOAR and @injuryresearchbc.bsky.social created the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT), a free 40-min course to help support workers recognize signs & respond with trauma-informed care: cattonline.com/home

Here's some great news! On December 3, 2025, MPs in Ottawa unanimously approved the second reading of Bailey’s Law (Bill C-225). The bill would treat violence against intimate partners as a distinct offence under the Criminal Code. To learn more, click on the link in our bio.

This month’s Research Roundup breaks down new findings on how repeated brain injuries caused by intimate partner violence impacts the brains pathways. #IPV-BI #ENDGBV #BrainInjuryAwareness

November 25th is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. From November 25 to December 10, we join the global call to end gender-based violence, highlighting the urgent need to invest in prevention and accountability. #16Days #EndGBV #NoExcuse #TraumaInformedCare #IPVBI

Behind every statistic is a survivor living with an invisible injury. Brain injury from IPV is often unrecognized, misdiagnosed, or dismissed, yet it can shape every aspect of recovery and wellbeing.

Violence against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people remains a national crisis in Canada. The impacts of this violence are deep, affecting physical, emotional, and community wellbeing. #MMIWG #EndViolence #BrainInjuryAwareness

October's Spotlight is highlighting Amy Moore, a valued collaborator and contributor in the field of IPV-BI!

Supporting professionals to recognize brain injury (#BI) from intimate partner violence (#IPV) is a key priority at SOAR. Take the free CATT training for Women’s Support Workers, link is in our bio. #SOAR #IPVBI #TraumaInformedCare

Octobers Research Roundup is here highlighting a study on brain injury, violence, and victimization. #ResearchRoundup #IPV-BI #BrainInjury

October’s SOAR Spotlight shines on Shaelyn Fitzpatrick, RN, BScN (She/Her), an Injury Prevention Educator with expertise in the brain injury sector!

The CDC has launched a new online training on the link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury. Learn trauma-informed ways to recognize, respond, and support survivors. SOAR is featured! Start here: vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/tbi-ipv... #IPVBI #EndGBV

Today, Oct 16, is #PurpleThursday, a day to raise awareness about intimate partner violence caused brain injury. SOAR’s Dr. Paul van Donkelaar speaks in the Canadian Royal Purple Society feature on this underrecognized issue. Read more: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #IPVBI #EndViolence

The ENIGMA IPV (Esopenko Brain Health Lab) & PINK Concussions Virtual Conference takes place November 5–6, 2025, 10am–6pm EST! Empowering Innovation in IPV & Brain Injury. SOAR is proud to sponsor survivor participation. Register: esopenkolab.com/general-info-and-registration.html #IPVBI #GBV

Put your knowledge to the test with this month’s "True or False" on #IPV and #BrainInjury and #MentalHealth

Join the Canadian Royal Purple Society’s free virtual event on Oct 15th from 12–2:30pm EST, on intimate partner violence & brain injury (#IPVBI). Hear from experts & advocates across Canada. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/canadian-c...

More than half of those who experience intimate partner violence are strangled. Strangulation is one of the deadliest forms of IPV, causing loss of consciousness within seconds and leading to brain injury or death within minutes. #IPV #BrainInjury #StrangulationAwareness #EndGenderBasedViolence

Looking to strengthen your skills in supporting survivors of IPV? The free CATT for Women’s Support Workers course helps you recognize & respond to brain injuries in just 45 mins. Bilingual & includes a certificate! cattonline.com/course/concu...

September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. The day recognizes the Indigenous children who never made it home and honours Survivors of residential schools, along with their families & communities. Find more resources at: www.canada.ca/en/canadian-...

Voices for Change, Oct 3 (12–1pm PDT, online). A free workshop hosted by Kelowna Women’s Shelter in partnership with REAL Talk by Sagesse to help you recognize signs of IPV, respond with empathy, and support survivors. Register: www.eventbrite.ca/e/voices-for... #VoicesForChange

The Manitoba GBV Symposium is Oct 7–9 in Winnipeg with the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters! On Oct 9, SOAR’s ED Karen Mason presents on recognizing & responding to IPV-caused brain injury. Don’t miss this event: tinyurl.com/mrykbt98 #GBVSymposium2025

The cycle of abuse often follows 4 stages: honeymoon, tension, explosion, break. While common, stages may appear in a different order or be absent. Understanding the #CycleOfAbuse is a key step to recognizing possible abuse. For support & resources, visit sheltersafe.ca.

SOAR has submitted recommendations to the federal Department of Finance calling for urgent investment in addressing intimate partner violence, brain injury, and femicide in Canada's 2025 budget. Survivors deserve recognition, protection, and support, and these measures are needed to impact change.

Here’s a quick look at training from SOAR’s Executive Director, Karen Mason, on supporting survivors of intimate partner violence–caused brain injuries. To book a session, email [email protected] or book on our website through this link! soarproject.ca/trainings-pr...

A one-of-a-kind clinic for survivors of IPV-caused brain injury has closed. SOAR, having worked with its clinicians, knows its vital impact. We’re calling on WRHA & Manitoba Health to reinstate & fund it now. Letters on our site; CBC link in bio. #IPVBI

Want to learn more about the connection between intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury (BI)? Explore SOAR’s resources, research, and training tools designed to support survivors and those who work with them. Follow this link to learn more: soarproject.ca

Need training on IPV & brain injury? SOAR offers engaging, customized sessions to help professionals recognize & respond to IPV-BI. Led by SOAR's Executive Director Karen Mason. Learn more: soarproject.ca/trainings-pr... #SOARProject #IPVBI #BrainInjuryAwareness

Learn more about brain injury caused by intimate partner violence. SOAR offers free tools & training for frontline workers, survivors & advocates—in English & French. Explore our resources page: soarproject.ca/resources/ #IPVBI #SOARProject

WAGE funding has helped make SOAR’s growth and sustainability possible. Losing it would devastate orgs supporting women and gender-diverse folx. We’ve signed the joint letter urging the gov’t to protect WAGE. 📢 www.criaw-icref.ca/statements/s...

A history of intimate partner violence against women is the primary risk factor for intimate partner homicide. In Canada, 60% of spousal homicides involve past family violence. #EndGenderBasedViolence #ViolencePrevention #SupportSurvivors #CallItFemicide

🧠 July’s Research Roundup features a study that examines head trauma caused by intimate partner violence done by the Esopenko Brain Health Lab. Check out the link at the end to read the full study. #IPV #GBV #BrainInjury #SOARProject #ResearchRoundup

Bailey McCourt’s death has renewed urgent calls for legal reform. Her mother advocates for “Bailey’s Law” to better protect women. As SOAR’s ED Karen Mason wrote: “Bailey’s death is not isolated—it reflects a disturbing pattern.” Read more at the link: www.castanet.net/edition/news... #BaileysLaw

We at SOAR are devastated by the closure of a vital clinic. This life-saving program supported survivors in a region with extreme rates of violence. Its shutdown is deeply troubling. Read more: ca.news.yahoo.com/where-now-pr... #IPV #BrainInjury #Nunavut #HealthEquity #ClinicClosure

In the wake of Bailey McCourt’s tragic femicide in Kelowna, SOAR co-founders met with MP Stephen Fuhr to call for urgent legal reform. We’ve now followed up with a letter to Justice Minister Sean Fraser calling for immediate action. Find the full letter here soarproject.ca/in-the-news/

More than 90,000 Canadians report domestic violence to police each year. Eight in 10 of those victims are women. Despite their scope, those numbers still don’t capture the full picture. Many more cases go unreported, leaving countless survivors without support. #IPVBI #EndViolenceAgainstWomen

Check out this article from the University of Manitoba! Dr. Kendra Nixon and Elder Marilyn Hart Murdock lead a new initiative uniting survivors, Indigenous leaders, & experts to support those with brain injuries from intimate partner violence. Read more here: news.umanitoba.ca/thousands-of...

Four days ago, Bailey McCourt was fatally attacked in Kelowna by someone wielding a hammer. Her ex-partner faces a charge of second-degree murder. The red flags were many. Little was done. Our @kmason10.bsky.social spoke to @chriswalkercbc.bsky.social about why B.C. must declare GBV an epidemic.

Concussions are often misunderstood and misrepresented, making it crucial to raise awareness about how they occur and the impact they can have on individuals. #ConcussionAwareness #InjuryPrevention #ConcussionRecovery #IPV-BI

This July, SOAR's Spotlight proudly features Kathleen Monahan, a leader in the field of Intimate Partner Violence caused Brain Injury (IPV-BI) research and education!

Support the work at SOAR, your donation helps us explore the impacts, educate frontline workers, and empower survivors through targeted resources and advocacy. Follow the link in our bio to donate! #IntimatePartnerViolence #SurvivorSupport #Donate

Strangulation is a common tactic used in intimate partner violence, and it's far more dangerous than many realize. It takes just 33 lbs of pressure to close off the windpipe, barely more than the 20 lbs needed to open a can of pop. #IPV #BrainInjury #StrangulationAwareness #WomensHealth #GBV

Brain injuries from intimate partner violence (IPV) can seriously affect a survivor’s ability to seek help. Test your knowledge with this quick quiz! Want to learn more? Visit the SOAR Resources page — link attached here: soarproject.ca/resources/ #IPV #BrainInjury #SupportSurvivors

This June, we’re excited to highlight Stephanie Bechelet (she/her) and the incredible work she and her team at Brainkind are doing in the United Kingdom!

Amazing overview of @soarproject.bsky.social work over the last ~9 years presented by @kmason10.bsky.social at the @ccn-rcc.bsky.social conference today.

SOAR, with @injuryresearchbc.bsky.social, created a CATT course for women’s support workers to better recognize & manage brain injuries from IPV. It’s free, 40 min, in English & French. Find it under ‘Resources’ on our site – link in bio! #IPV #BrainInjury #CATT

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Thousands of Canadian women suffer brain injuries from partner violence, often invisible and untreated. This month aims to raise awareness of this hidden public health crisis. #WomensHealth #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #DV

This month’s SOAR Spotlight features Dr. Brian Christie from UVic! His research focuses on brain plasticity and sex differences in brain health, aiming to improve recovery from injury, especially in IPV survivors, through care, environment, and support.

SOAR offers training on recognizing and responding IPV-BI. Whether you're organizing a conference, educational session, or workplace training, our team delivers impactful webinars, workshops, and presentations tailored to your needs! Check out this link! soarproject.ca/trainings-pr...

To learn more about resources, training, and workshops on recognizing and responding to brain injuries from intimate partner violence, follow this link to SOAR's website: soarproject.ca/resources/

🎉 Huge congratulations to Karen Mason, SOAR's incredible co-founder and executive director, on being named a 2025 Top 40 Over 40 Honouree by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce⁠! 🎉