Peer Mentoring Women with Complex needs, research and application
There is a sizeable population of women in England who experience significant disadvantage, with overlapping complex and multiple needs. Over a million women in England have experienced physical and sexual abuse in both childhood and as an adult (Scott and McManus, 2016). Many experience multiple disadvantages such as homelessness, addictions, imprisonment or experience mental health conditions. The feminist discourse of domestic abuse directs that ‘gender based abuse requires a gender specific response,’ (Houghton, 2006: 84). A history of what could be described as ‘peer support’ within the women’s movement has been documented since the first refuges and support groups were formed relating to those escaping abusive relationships (Doerner and Lab, 2017: 18). Women’s campaigning and grass root groups continue to…