Co-Designing Peer Support for Women Labelled with Intellectual Disabilities Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Co-Designing Peer Support for Women Labelled with Intellectual Disabilities Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence
Language: English
Authors: Alexis Buettgen (ORCID 0000-0002-7370-723X), Tammy Bernasky, Kelly MacDougall, Ann Fudge Schormans, Jennifer Gordon, Sandra Tavares, Verónica Schiariti, Robin Mason, Janice Du Mont (ORCID 0000-0002-4851-1104), Maria Huijbregts
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2025 38(5).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Intellectual Disability, Sexual Abuse, Females, Peer Influence, Participatory Research, Foreign Countries, Mentors, Program Effectiveness
Geographic Terms: Canada
DOI: 10.1111/jar.70123
ISSN: 1360-2322
1468-3148
Abstract: Background: Women labelled with intellectual disabilities face high rates of social exclusion and sexual violence, with limited research and few services tailored to their needs. Peer support offers many benefits including recognition of diverse lived experiences and nonprofessional perspectives. This article highlights collaborative efforts of women labelled with intellectual disabilities, service providers and researchers in advancing peer support through an applied research project. Methods: Using trauma-informed, arts-based and human-rights-focused co-design approaches, we fostered inclusive research and programme development in a 3-day virtual symposium. Results: The study emphasises shared control of research agendas, shaped by a multistakeholder team prioritising lived experience knowledge. Women took more control over the research through co-creative practices to that meaningfully included them in the design of future research and programming. Conclusion: This inclusive model champions equality and equity, advocating for positive discourse around intellectual disabilities while bridging lived, academic and professional insights in the field.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1487463
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Background: Women labelled with intellectual disabilities face high rates of social exclusion and sexual violence, with limited research and few services tailored to their needs. Peer support offers many benefits including recognition of diverse lived experiences and nonprofessional perspectives. This article highlights collaborative efforts of women labelled with intellectual disabilities, service providers and researchers in advancing peer support through an applied research project. Methods: Using trauma-informed, arts-based and human-rights-focused co-design approaches, we fostered inclusive research and programme development in a 3-day virtual symposium. Results: The study emphasises shared control of research agendas, shaped by a multistakeholder team prioritising lived experience knowledge. Women took more control over the research through co-creative practices to that meaningfully included them in the design of future research and programming. Conclusion: This inclusive model champions equality and equity, advocating for positive discourse around intellectual disabilities while bridging lived, academic and professional insights in the field.
ISSN:1360-2322
1468-3148
DOI:10.1111/jar.70123