The Voices of Peer Support
This video features Peer Support Leaders who are survivors of sexual violence and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In their own words, they share why peer support is a vital component of trauma recovery for people with disabilities.
Professionals will hear firsthand accounts that emphasize:
- The unique role of peer support in building trust and safety
- How shared lived experience can reduce isolation and increase engagement in services
- The importance of accessible, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches
- Why empowering survivors with disabilities to lead and support others is a critical step toward equity in care
This video serves as a call to action for providers and systems to recognize the value of survivor leadership, honor lived experience, and integrate peer support into services for individuals with disabilities.
L.I.S.T.E.N. Method
All three videos in the series are built on the principles of the L.I.S.T.E.N. method that includes the premise that each victim/survivor is an individual with their own abilities. As such, investigators need to be flexible to accommodate the individual needs of a victim/survivor.
To execute the L.I.S.T.E.N. method, investigators should:
Learn about the case and the relevant parties and seek out the necessary knowledge and resources to proactively prepare to conduct the interview;
- Use Integrity and adhere to ethical standards to ensure that, during the interview, the victim is being heard;
- Prioritize Safety by taking the necessary steps to safeguard the well-being of an individual and their autonomy, as well as the safety of the interviewer;
- Recognize Trauma and use a trauma-informed approach that acknowledges the effects on an individual and adjusts investigative methods with sensitivity and support;
- Employ Empathy by utilizing effective interview techniques, tailored to an individual’s needs to avoid bias and to allow the individual to speak from their own experience; and
- Be realistic, recognize limitations and engage their multidisciplinary team Network for assistance when needed.
These guiding principles are essential to enhancing the quality and quantity of information obtained during an interview and are key to increasing the investigator’s ability to meet the needs of the victim.
It’s our hope that these videos will help to inform and educate first responders, frontline personnel, investigators and others, by providing them with the necessary tools to effectively and compassionately interview adults with disabilities.