Understanding Acquired Brain Injury in the Context of Domestic Abuse
Carpenters Group was proud to sponsor the UKABIF Northwest event Invisible Scars: Understanding Acquired Brain Injury in the Context of Domestic Abuse, held in Manchester on Thursday 26 March.
The event brought together professionals from across healthcare, legal, safeguarding and support services to explore the often-overlooked relationship between domestic abuse, non-fatal strangulation and acquired brain injury and the lasting impact this can have on survivors.
Chaired by Dr Karen Addy, Consultant Neuropsychologist and Chair of UKABIF North West, the programme featured expert-led sessions that highlighted how harm can remain hidden long after abuse has occurred. A key focus was on non-fatal strangulation, with Professor Cath White, Medical Director at the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), explaining why this form of abuse is so dangerous despite frequently leaving little or no visible injury.
The discussion then turned to brain injury within domestic abuse, with Dr Annmarie Burns, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist at Brainkind, sharing research that demonstrates how repeated blows to the head and strangulation can result in long-term cognitive, emotional and neurological impairment. Her presentation underscored how brain injury can affect things like memory, concentration and communication - factors that can influence a survivor’s ability to seek help and give evidence or engage with services, and which are often misunderstood or misattributed.
The final session, led by Dr Czarina Kirk, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and Vice Chair of the Neuropsychiatry Faculty, focused on assessing and treating traumatic brain injury in women. Highlighting the need for gender-informed approaches, she addressed why women’s experiences of brain injury are frequently overlooked and the importance of trauma-informed, multidisciplinary support.
Throughout the event, speakers reinforced a shared message: absence of visible injury does not mean absence of harm. Improved awareness and better cross-sector understanding are essential to ensuring survivors receive the care and support they need.
Bobby Jo Doherty, Solicitor Apprentice on our Serious Injury team, said: “Events like this are vital in helping us better understand how acquired brain injury can present in the context of domestic abuse. Hearing directly from specialists across healthcare and support services reinforced how important awareness, education and cross‑sector collaboration are in achieving better outcomes for survivors.”
As a sponsor, Carpenters Group was pleased to support the event, particularly given how closely the subject matter aligns with our work. We have one of the most experienced Serious Injury teams in the UK and regularly support individuals affected by life‑changing injuries, including acquired brain injury. Supporting events like this reflects our commitment to improving awareness, understanding and long‑term outcomes.
