Peer Mentoring: Women Survivors of Domestic Violence

Women's survivor groups can be empowered through their own knowledge exchange, and peer mentoring can be exceptionally powerful. The two presenters argue the benefits of survivor led practice, responsible to the long-term need of women experiencing domestic violence and complex needs. They consider the difficulties and complexities of this work relating to peer mentor readiness, boundaries, supervisory input and safeguarding issues.

Beverley considers her own PhD research and the feminist underpinnings of the peer mentoring approach with women.

The two group representatives consider what works for women survivors themselves and how linking in with a similar entity in a different country can enrich women's peer mentoring practice and motivation. Two European women's organisations peer mentoring organisations have come together to empower each other, to collaborate and to access training in a practical exchange of knowledge and mutual support. Malta's SOAR and UK based Cohort 4 are small, community based, women's organisations consisting of peer mentors supporting women survivors of domestic violence.