To explore the effect of brain injury in victim-survivors of family violence

Family violence (FV) is common, and includes assaults that result in brain injury (BI). There's been little research exploring this, or the experience of victim-survivors. There is also a lack of community education about BI as a result of FV. I would like meet researchers to observe how they assess the short and long term cognitive and psychological impacts of BI in the context of FV. I also wish to learn how other countries educate victims, and those who work with them, about BI, including specific communities such as First Nations people. To do this I would like to meet with researchers, support agencies, educators, and victim-survivors, to develop better research and education about BI in FV in Australia.

Report Summary

There’s growing awareness that intimate partner violence is prevalent in Australia, and Christine Padgett has investigated the impact of brain injury as a result of intimate partner violence, visiting the USA and Canada.

Christine met researchers, family violence organisations, and people with lived experience who are working together to undertake research and develop education materials specifically about brain injury caused by intimate partner violence. She hopes to develop greater tools and education for vulnerable Australians. This Fellowship has also resulted in Christine building relationships with international researchers, allowing for more collaborative and productive research on this understudied societal problem.