Presented by The Journey Project & SOAR
The Journey Project is pleased to partner with Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury Through Research (SOAR) to offer two free workshops this June on the often-overlooked connection between brain injury and intimate partner violence (IPV). Please see the details below to share with members of the Law Society.
SOAR is a registered charity and the only organization in Canada solely dedicated to brain injury (BI) resulting from intimate partner violence. Their work includes:
Exploring the intersection of BI and IPV
Educating the public and frontline workers
Empowering survivors to access the supports and services they need to thrive
Karen Mason (she/her)
Co-founder and Executive Director, SOAR
Karen is a seasoned non-profit leader, former Executive Director of both Third Space Charity and the Kelowna Women’s Shelter, and an experienced advocate for survivors of IPV. She brings more than 30 years of experience across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Her expertise includes trauma-informed practice, advanced strangulation prevention, and knowledge translation. She is affiliated with several research and advocacy groups, including:
Pink Concussions Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Task Force
Women’s Health Research Cluster (UBC)
ENIGMA International Consortium Working Group on Brain Injury in IPV
Dr. Paul van Donkelaar (he/him)
Co-founder and Scientific Advisor, SOAR
Professor, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, UBC Okanagan
Dr. van Donkelaar’s research focuses on sensorimotor control and the neurocognitive and cerebrovascular consequences of traumatic brain injuries. Since 2016, he has concentrated on better understanding IPV-related brain injury in women.
Participants will:
Gain a foundational understanding of intimate partner violence and abuse
Learn how brain injury occurs in IPV, including prevalence, signs, and symptoms
Recognize the frequency and signs of strangulation in IPV
Understand the effects of IPV-related brain injury on cognition, mental health, and emotional well-being
Learn how to apply a trauma- and brain injury-informed approach when working with survivors
Become comfortable discussing and assessing for possible brain injury using the adapted H.E.L.P.S. tool
Learn about available supports for survivors and how to make appropriate referrals
Free Admission
Registration Required
All participants will receive a certificate of completion, a training manual, and access to downloadable resources
This interactive training is recommended for:
Community advocates, housing and shelter workers, victim services, lawyers, judges, government officials, police and security, nurses, public health workers, educators, and others supporting individuals impacted by IPV.
In-Person | St. John’s
June 16, 2025
Register here
Virtual Session
June 17, 2025
Register here
Questions?
Contact: Emma Duke
emma@journeyprojectnl.com
709-219-0298