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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.