YWCA readies Concussion Story campaign
By Rob Bale
YWCA Metro Vancouver is preparing a new campaign called “Concussion Story” intended to raise awareness violence against women by an intimate partner. Developed by Rethink, the campaign compares this violence to the risk of concussions among players of physical sports such as hockey. The public service announcement features NHL player Trevor Linden in 50-second and 30-second versions. The campaign will consist of television commercials in English and French, airing on CBC and Sportsnet, as well as social media content and a website at <http://www.myconcussionstory.com>.
“We knew that comparing a well known cause of concussion, hockey, to a shocking and overlooked cause of concussion, intimate partner violence, would be a smart way to address the need for support and action,” said Amy Juschka, director of communications and advocacy at YWCA Metro Vancouver. “Through the comparison to NHL concussions, we’re trying to bring attention to a need for increased research, better pathways for treatment, and more support for people who have experienced a brain injury as a result of intimate partner violence.”