BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious consequence of intimate partner violence (IPV) that is often overlooked. In the case of Indigenous women in Canada the challenges are broad, multidimensional, and left almost entirely unexplored. Given the elevated rates of violence and injury experienced by women exposed to IPV and the increased levels of physical assault among Indigenous women in Canada, it is important to understand the unique experiences and service needs of these women. This study sought to identify barriers and facilitating factors for TBI-sensitive service provision for Indigenous women experiencing IPV.Method:As part of a larger national stakeholder consultation process to develop a TBI educational toolkit for IPV service providers, input from Indigenous stakeholders was specifically sought to allow for insights into unique challenges and strengths related to this population. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with IPV direct-service providers, support professionals, and advocates working with Canadian First Nations and Inuit women.Findings:Findings suggest that multiple intersections of marginalization, shame and stigma, and colonization, coupled with significant barriers to service provision in remote communities are such that solutions generated for urban-based settler populations are ineffective.Conclusions:Recommendations include a widespread educational campaign to raise awareness of the seriousness of TBI among Indigenous women exposed to IPV. Education is particularly important among healthcare and direct service providers, survivors and their families and communities, legal professionals and child protection agencies, and Indigenous and settler government bodies. Future research should focus on expanding our understanding of this complex issue and developing culturally sensitive, community-based supports.

中文翻译：

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创伤性脑损伤和亲密伴侣暴力：解决加拿大土著居民之间的知识和服务差距

背景创伤性脑损伤 (TBI) 是亲密伴侣暴力 (IPV) 的严重后果，经常被忽视。就加拿大的土著妇女而言，挑战是广泛的、多层面的，几乎完全没有被探索过。鉴于暴露于 IPV 的妇女遭受暴力和伤害的比率上升，以及加拿大土著妇女遭受身体攻击的程度增加，了解这些妇女的独特经历和服务需求非常重要。本研究旨在确定为遭受 IPV 的土著妇女提供 TBI 敏感服务的障碍和促进因素。 方法：作为更大的国家利益相关者协商过程的一部分，为 IPV 服务提供者开发 TBI 教育工具包，专门寻求土著利益相关者的意见，以便深入了解与该人口相关的独特挑战和优势。对与加拿大原住民和因纽特妇女合作的 IPV 直接服务提供者、支持专业人员和倡导者进行了访谈和焦点小组。 调查结果：调查结果表明，边缘化、羞耻感和污名化以及殖民化的多个交叉点，以及服务的重大障碍偏远社区的规定使得针对城市定居人口的解决方案无效。结论：建议包括开展广泛的教育活动，以提高暴露于 IPV 的土著妇女对 TBI 严重性的认识。教育在医疗保健和直接服务提供者中尤为重要，幸存者及其家人和社区、法律专业人员和儿童保护机构，以及土著和定居者政府机构。未来的研究应侧重于扩大我们对这一复杂问题的理解，并发展具有文化敏感性、基于社区的支持。