Enabling Recovery Following Peer-Perpetrated Sexual Violence: Lived Experiences of Young Women in Sweden.

INTRODUCTION

Peer-perpetrated sexual violence is very common in young adult relationships. In Sweden, one in four young women has experienced sexual violence, and it is a leading cause of mental health issues among young women today. Knowledge about how recovery is enabled for young women with experience of peer-perpetrated sexual violence remains limited. The primary emphasis of caring is to support health and well-being and to contribute to recovery; therefore, understanding the meaning of how recovery is enabled is essential when caring for these young women.

AIM: The aim of this study is to describe the meaning of enabling recovery as experienced by young women following peer-perpetrated sexual violence.

METHODS

A reflective lifeworld research approach was applied in this phenomenological study. Twelve young women, aged 17 to 25 years, participated in lifeworld interviews exploring the meaning of enabling recovery following peer-perpetrated sexual violence.

RESULTS

The essential meaning of enabling recovery is described as: "By unveiling the hidden, the movement of life reclaims existence." This is further described through the four constituents: Striking insight, A haven for rest, Existential safeness and Sharing one's story in a safe place. The enabling of recovery from peer-perpetrated sexual violence emerges as a dynamic movement that involves both physical and existential aspects. It emphasises that reclaiming one's existence requires a movement in life that strives to enhance well-being. Every element that contributes to this movement is interconnected, and no part can function in isolation from the others.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an in-depth understanding of how recovery is enabled following peer-perpetrated sexual violence. It highlights the long-term impact on young women's health and well-being and emphasises the importance of a lifeworld-led, recovery-oriented caring approach that addresses both physical and existential dimensions. Enabling recovery is understood as an interconnected and dynamic process of meaning-making, where uncovering lived experiences and supporting existential safeness and stillness help young women to reclaim their existence.