New South Wales: concussion protocol for family and domestic violence victims

The recent efforts of psychiatrist Karen Williams have prompted the New South Wales Government to develop concussion protocols for family and domestic abuse survivors, as written in an ABC News article.

A study by Brain Injury Australia found that 40% of family violence patients suffered from brain injuries over a ten-year sampling period at various Victorian hospitals. Evidence from a literature review also revealed a lack of brain injury diagnoses in female domestic abuse survivors, despite 80% of the patients having facial injuries. These numbers, however, are solely representative of patients who visit hospitals.

Just as head injuries obtained from sports have specific protocols, Williams pushed to create defined protocols for abuse victims, as symptoms of head injuries can have long-term effects and be cumulative with repeated mTBIs. In response, New South Wales Health indicated in a statement that they would provide guidance and resources for screening suspected concussions and redesign their services for sexual assault, child neglect, and family and domestic violence.