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40th Anniversary of ECTRIMS: MSDVA Research Team Engages with Ground-breaking Developments

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The 40th anniversary of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) took place in Copenhagen (September 18-20). The MSDVA research team (Kharis Hutchison, Prof. Helen Ford and Rachel Horne) participated actively, presenting innovative findings and fostering important discussions around domestic violence and abuse (DVA) within the MS community.

Kharis Hutchison presented a compelling poster titled “I don’t think they know enough about it”: Women with Multiple Sclerosis and Domestic Violence and Abuse. This presentation featured powerful quotes from interview participants, shedding light on their experiences with coercive control and the support—or lack thereof—they received from healthcare practitioners. The MSDVA initiative is the first in the Congress’s history to address the critical issue of DVA, thereby raising awareness and paving the way for enhanced support in future healthcare interventions.

Poster explaining the research findings of Kharis Hutchison.

In addition to the poster presentation, the team engaged in meaningful discussions with several experts at ECTRIMS. An informal yet productive meeting was held with Drs. David Freedman, Cassie Nesbitt, Vilija Jokubaitis, Mhmdi Mahsaa (from Iran), Tania Burge, and Claire Winchester from MS Trust. During this meeting, the necessity to gather more information and spread awareness about MS and DVA was emphasised, with next steps including:

Educational Session: Plans were discussed to contact ECTRIMS about hosting an educational session on MS/DVA in two years, allowing ample time to collate further information and data.

MS Brain Health Initiative: Following the launch of its latest report at the conference, the team agreed to contact Prof. Gavin Giovannoni regarding the inclusion of MS/DVA in the MS Brain Health—Time Matters initiative.

Rachel Horne also had insightful conversations with leading researchers. Prof. Kerstin Hellwig, recipient of this year’s Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in MS, expressed the need to begin routinely screening pregnant women with MS for safetyand abuse. This revelation underlines the importance of incorporating DVA considerations into existing healthcare practices.

Additionally, discussions with Dr. Riley Bove highlighted DVA as a pressing issue in the MS community, leading to potential collaborations with influential advocates in female health and MS research. The team also connected with Kristine Werner Ozug, who shared her experience of routine safety screenings conducted by her MS team in Atlanta, Georgia.

The MSDVA research team’s participation in ECTRIMS showcased innovative research and initiated crucial conversations about integrating support for women experiencing DVA within the MS framework. These developments set the stage for ongoing collaboration and advocacy, aiming to improve healthcare responses to the needs of individuals affected by both MS and DVA.