Traumatic Brain Injury and Intimate Partner Violence

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I left my ex-husband six months ago. We had been together for nine years.

One Thursday, I’m coming home from picking up the kids at school. He’s waiting for me in my building’s parking lot. I panic. He yells that he just wants to talk. I say no. The kids are there. I try to get them into the building quickly.

He grabs me by the arm and pushes me down. I fall and hit my head on the ground. A few moments later, I get up, feeling dizzy. My ex-husband is next to me. I don’t know what happened, I feel disoriented.

Since the assault, I’ve been having headaches. I’m tired all the time. I often feel confused and it’s been hard to focus. I don’t feel like myself anymore.

What should I do?

  • I decide to see a doctor.

  • I speak to a support worker who works with victims of intimate partner violence.

  • I don’t tell anyone.

This project was funded by the Government of Quebec/Secrétariat à la condition féminine.