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

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.