Presentation Title
Location
Start Date
30-3-2021 3:33 PM
End Date
30-3-2021 3:39 PM
Abstract
There is little research centering on the experiences of women who have been criminalized and utilize their experience in their work or volunteer roles with women currently experiencing criminalization. This research applies an intersectional feminist and anti-oppressive/anti- privilege framework to explore how these women support other women, especially during times of COVID-19 affected services. Research demonstrates that women living with criminalization experience oppressive social relations and structural violence. The weakened social safety net and lack of community-based support force women into cycles of incarceration and homelessness. Peer support of women with shared lived experience is known to effectively support women to escape the incarceration cycle. Using purposeful sampling, approximately 35 women-serving agencies will be invited to circulate an online survey regarding the use and impact of peer mentorship. The agencies are also being asked to forward a recruitment poster to their employees, volunteers, and potential contacts for interviews. Potential peer mentor participants will be invited to participate in a 30 - 45 minute semi-structured interview via Zoom (maximum of six participants). The results of this research will provide valuable new knowledge detailing the experiences of women who transition from prison to a social service role. The results can inform social work practice in supporting women experiencing criminalization and identify areas needing further research.
Department
Social Work
Faculty Advisor
Jennifer Murphy and Juliana West
Women Helping Women: Analyzing the Incorporation of Lived Experience in Peer Support for Women Experiencing Criminalization
There is little research centering on the experiences of women who have been criminalized and utilize their experience in their work or volunteer roles with women currently experiencing criminalization. This research applies an intersectional feminist and anti-oppressive/anti- privilege framework to explore how these women support other women, especially during times of COVID-19 affected services. Research demonstrates that women living with criminalization experience oppressive social relations and structural violence. The weakened social safety net and lack of community-based support force women into cycles of incarceration and homelessness. Peer support of women with shared lived experience is known to effectively support women to escape the incarceration cycle. Using purposeful sampling, approximately 35 women-serving agencies will be invited to circulate an online survey regarding the use and impact of peer mentorship. The agencies are also being asked to forward a recruitment poster to their employees, volunteers, and potential contacts for interviews. Potential peer mentor participants will be invited to participate in a 30 - 45 minute semi-structured interview via Zoom (maximum of six participants). The results of this research will provide valuable new knowledge detailing the experiences of women who transition from prison to a social service role. The results can inform social work practice in supporting women experiencing criminalization and identify areas needing further research.