Almost half (44%) of Canadian women experience intimate partner violence (IPV), and many will sustain brain injury (BI) as a result. Yet IPV-BI often goes unrecognized and unsupported. At SOAR, we explore, educate, and empower—because what is missed cannot be treated. #IPVBI #FactFriday

As many as 92% of women who experience intimate partner violence may also sustain a brain injury, yet many professionals still aren’t equipped to recognize and respond. We’re recruiting subject matter experts to help build Canada’s response to IPV-BI. 💜 📅 Apply by June 19 🔗 soarproject.ca/team

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Your donation helps Brain Injury Canada continue advocating for Canadians living with brain injury, and supporting their caregivers and their families through education. 🔗 Donate today at:https://braininjuryawarenessmonth2026.raiselysite.com/donate

This June, we're raising awareness and calling for greater recognition of IPV-BI across healthcare, legal, and social systems. Connect with Brain Injury Canada for national resources and information on brain injury: braininjurycanada.ca #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #BrainInjuryAwareness #IPV #IPVBI

What if a blood test could help detect brain disorders like dementia, concussion & stroke? Led by Dr. Cheryl Wellington, the Core Facility for Neurology Biomarker Innovation (CFNBI) is advancing blood biomarker research to support earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment & improved patient care.

This is huge and such an important step in addressing the reality that gender-based violence is out of control.

Head to the link below to watch Dr. Cheryl Wellington’s talk “Identifying Plasma Biomarkers of IPV-Caused BI” from the ENIGMA IPV Working Group and PINK Concussion’s 2025 IPV-BI virtual conference: youtu.be/l4KkHQNgoPM?...

Dr. Paul van Donkelaar’s research-based keynote talk “The Complex Interaction Between Head Trauma, Psychological Distress, and IPV” from the 2025 ENIGMA IPV Working Group and PINK Concussion’s IPV-BI virtual conference is now available to view on YouTube at the link below: youtu.be/GSAfCiPo83E?...

Help us change the narrative. 💜 SOAR is hiring Knowledge Brokers and Facilitators to help raise awareness of intimate partner violence-caused brain injury (IPV-BI) and connect survivors to support. 📅 Apply by June 19 📩 [email protected] 🔗 soarproject.ca/team #Hiring #Careers #IPV

This spotlight highlights Catherine Wiseman-Hakes, Assistant Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University and one of SOAR's research collaborators!

$77.5 million in federal funding for 395 organizations across Canada is more than a budget line — it’s recognition that supporting survivors of gender-based violence matters. When funding continues, support continues. And when support continues, lives change. 💜🧠 #EndGBV #SOARProject

SOAR offers expert-led, evidence-based training to help frontline workers recognize, respond to, and better support survivors living with intimate partner violence-caused brain injury (IPV-BI). Follow this link to book soarproject.ca/for-frontlin...! #BrainInjuryAwareness #IPV #IPVBI

We’ve just launched SOAR’s YouTube channel! Check out our latest video where we explore key insights on brain injury and intimate partner violence. Click the link to watch and subscribe for more updates and information. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcFb... #SOAR #YouTube #BrainInjury #IPV

All talks from the ENIGMA IPV Working Group and PINK Concussions 2025 IPV-BI virtual conference are now available on YouTube! Scan the QR code or head to the link below to watch: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) for Women's Support Workers: A free, online training from SOAR and BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit on brain injury from IPV. Learn signs, symptoms, trauma-informed care & more. Link here: cattonline.com/course/concu...

We are excited to announce our co-founder and executive director has been named the 2026 RISE Awards Change Maker by Kelowna Women in Business! Congratulations to Karen and all the other award winners and finalists. To check out the full RISE Awards, follow this link. kwib.org/2026-rise-aw...

On May 15, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada released a landmark decision recognizing, for the first time in Canadian history, a new tort of intimate partner violence grounded in coercive control. Read more here: www.cbc.ca/news/politic... #EndGBV #StopViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls #EndIPV #IPVBI

In recent news, the amazing folx at Kelowna Women in Business honoured me as Changemaker of the Year for my work with @soarproject.bsky.social while my love, @paulvandonkelaar.bsky.social finished our new and improved firepit! HE is the one who deserves an award. #cabinlife #offgrid #Pinauslake

In this research roundup, we highlight a study examining the challenges healthcare professionals face in identifying and treating IPV-caused brain injury (IPV-BI). #IPVBI #HealthcareProfessionals #SupportingSurvivors #ENDGBV

May 10–16 is Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, highlighting the experiences of survivors and the need for stronger, more responsive systems. Learn more about the week’s programming: www.victimsweek.gc.ca/symp-colloqu...

Looking forward to virtually attending the Canadian Strangulation Symposium (strangulationsymposium.ca) at @goufv.bsky.social over the next 2 days #IntimatePartnerViolence #BrainInjury @soarproject.bsky.social @kmason10.bsky.social

Moose Hide Campaign Day on May 14th is a national day of ceremony, learning, and action to stand against gender-based violence. Join workshops, teachings, and community conversations. See the program itinerary and register: moosehide.swoogo.com/2026campaign...

May 5 is Red Dress Day, honouring Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). It's a day for reflection, remembrance, and action. Read The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

Gender-based violence is costing British Columbia an estimated $1.12 billion each year, says a new report commissioned by the provincial YWCA. https://ow.ly/LlyE50YSBVF #BCNews #BritishColumbiaNews #Canada #GBV #VAW

Mental Health Week in Canada takes place from May 4–10, 2026. This annual campaign raises awareness, reduces stigma, and encourages connection, care, and community well-being. Access mental health resources to learn more and support survivors: soarproject.ca/resources/

Gender-based violence (GBV) isn’t just a social issue, it’s an economic one. A new report from the YWCA BC, The Cost of Inaction: Measuring the Economic Impact of GBV in BC, estimates that GBV costs the province over $1.12 billion every year. Read the full report here: ywcabc.org/report-cost-...

Join us for a free, in-person workshop on recognizing and responding IPV-BI, supported by funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Thursday, May 21 | 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia Space is limited. Register at this link! www.eventbrite.ca/e/acquired-b...

Excited to be taking a 1-year leave of absence from UBCO starting today to work full-time for @soarproject.bsky.social with @kmason10.bsky.social on #IntimatePartnerViolence and #BrainInjury. Thanks to the Department of Women and Gender Equality for supporting our work.

Honoured to be in Calgary with @paulvandonkelaar.bsky.social on behalf of @soarproject.bsky.social for the 6th annual meeting of the @ccn-rcc.bsky.social as Dr. Keith Yeates kicks off the program.

Studies have shown there's a substantial need for education about brain injury and IPV among frontline workers, survivors and the general public. So how can we get started? Download our position paper today: https://ow.ly/WGuN50Ypnkq #IPV #braininjury

Without adequate support, brain injury can lead to cognitive challenges, which can increase vulnerability to homelessness, and thus perpetuate a cycle where further brain injuries become more likely. Three experts explain.

“Future research should explore healthcare-related needs and experiences to inform policy and practice and better represent the diversity of IPV survivors.” Learn more about IPV and brain injury from our position paper: https://ow.ly/USxK50Ypnf2 #IPV #braininjury

This #InternationalWomensDay, learn more about how #IPV and brain injury are connected, and participate in our calls to action to advocate for more supports: https://ow.ly/gHUg50YpmWi#InternationalWomensDay#IPV#IPV #IWD2026 #braininjury

Love it when the lake ice sings #CabinLife #OffGrid #PinausLife

Looks like we have a large cat nearby (@kmason10.bsky.social's hand for scale)! #OffGrid #CabinLife #PinausLake

Beautiful winter day. Feeling lucky to be able to sit outside on the deck to do my work! #CabinLife #OffGrid #PinausLake #Apricity

Wonderful to see more research into the effects of #BrainInjury in #IntimatePartnerViolence - www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

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

Beautiful evening at #PinausLake.

“In Canada, only 6.8 per cent of federal funding supports women’s health research.”

On Oct 9, Men's Rights Activists, via Senator Patrick Brazeau, launched a Men and Boys Caucus. Not to address the epidemic of men's violence or the radicalization of young men, but to uplift lies about false allegations of sexual assault and lies re: fathers being denied parental rights.

Day 2 will start with a keynote by @soarproject.bsky.social co-founder @paulvandonkelaar.bsky.social Join to learn about the pathophysiology of IPV-BI, specifically research on cerebrovascular, neurocognitive, sensorimotor, and blood biomarker assessments Register forms.gle/B1zMNjq9iLE7UJEn8

“Our study underscores that CTE is rare among individuals with lower amounts of repetitive head impact and in those with isolated traumatic brain injuries" www.newswise.com/articles/mou...

Sports betting is also linked to increased rates of #IntimatePartnerViolence papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Update: good on several of the vendors for removing this offensive term. Unfortunately, #AmazonCanada ‘still stands by its position that the term, “wife beater” is acceptable as a clothing descriptor.’ www.cbc.ca/news/busines...

Canadian Royal Purple Society out there doing amazing work raising awareness of the links between #BrainInjury and #IntimatePartnerViolence www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...