In this conversation, hosts Kalen and Karen welcome two Canadian experts, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Ellis and forensic nurse leader Ashley Stewart, to spotlight the often overlooked reality of head trauma among survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Drawing comparisons to sport-related concussion, the guests unpack why healthcare systems lack proper protocols, how this gap harms patient outcomes, and what forensic nurses can do to help their patients get on the road to healing. We introduce the new IAFN IPV Head Trauma Toolkit—built to standardize screening, assessment, documentation, and safety planning—so clinicians can identify injuries earlier, refer appropriately, and improve patients’ recovery trajectories.

Key Episode Learnings:

• Learn the importance of early recognition of IPV-related head trauma that improves patient recovery and safety.
• Discover the available screening tools and protocols for detecting head blows and strangulation, reducing missed TBIs.
• Uncover how expanding sport-concussion awareness to specific IPV care and TBI protocol development can improve patient recovery and healthcare outcomes.
• Explore building referral networks with concussion clinics and neurology to accelerate access to professional forensic nursing care.
• Learn about the new standardized and comprehensive resources for assessment of patients with acute intimate partner violence related head trauma.

Episode Resources:

• IAFN IPV Head Trauma Toolkit
• IAFN Non-Fatal Strangulation Toolkit

IAFN Resources

• IAFN Online Learning Center (OLC): forensicnurses.org/page/OLCAccess/
• TeleSAFE Toolkit: Access this Step-by-Step Guide to a Trauma-Informed Program at forensicnurses.org/page/TeleSAFE/
• International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN): Learn more at forensicnurses.org
• IAFN Foundation: Support our work to spread forensic nursing at fundforensicnursing.org
• IAFN’s SAFEta Resources: Explore safeta.org
• National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault (NTCSA): Supporting tribal communities at supportingourcircle.org

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