‘It’s like a much deeper understanding and you kind of believe them more…’: the value of peer support for young people affected by sexual violence
Affiliation
University of BedfordshireIssue Date
2022-09-05Subjects
peer supportmentoring
sexual violence
young people
Subject Categories::L590 Social Work not elsewhere classified
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Research demonstrates that relationships are key when working to support young people affected by sexual violence. Within these relationships young people show a preference for non-judgemental, flexible, consistent and informal support. Peer support - defined here as support provided by those with similar experiences - is however an uncharted area for assisting young people affected by sexual violence. This paper draws on interviews with 25 respondents with knowledge and experience of setting up, supervising and/or participating in peer support initiatives for young people impacted by different forms of sexual violence in Europe and North America. The article highlights how one form of peer support, peer or ‘survivor’ mentoring, can provide emotional and social support; create space for ‘normality’; and give choices to young people. It outlines three unique dimensions to the support provided by peers more generally; relatability, credibility and translatability. The discussion reflects on what this might mean for traditional support provided by professionals. It also draws attention to the significance of recognising both the variety of experience and identity of young survivors of sexual trauma and the impact this may have on promoting relatability within relationships.Citation
Cody C, Bovarnick S, Peace D (2022) ' ‘It’s like a much deeper understanding and you kind of believe them more…’: the value of peer support for young people affected by sexual violence', Child Abuse Review, 32 (3), e2789Publisher
WileyJournal
Child Abuse ReviewDOI
10.1002/car.2789Additional Links
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/car.2789Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
0952-9136Sponsors
Oak Foundation OCAY-16-457ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1002/car.2789
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- Creative Commons
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