Peer support for young people who have experienced sexual violence - tensions, challenges and strategies: briefing paper four

This briefing is based on exploratory research into ‘peer support’ for young people who have experienced sexual violence . For the purposes of this briefing, ‘peer support’ is defined as a formalised supportive relationship between individuals who have lived experience of sexual violence in common. This briefing paper explores the perspectives of those designing peer support initiatives together with those in peer supporter roles for young people affected by sexual violence . This paper focusses on one area of the findings – the risks, tensions and challenges associated with peer support interventions. It explores four different themes: The target group involved in peer support interventions; Organisational systems, processes and culture; Recruitment of peer supporters and; Challenges experienced by peer supporters when in the job. For each theme tensions, challenges and potential strategies are outlined.