ROAR (Retelling Our Acts of Resistance) is an eight-week group program supporting women who are currently experiencing or have previously experienced family violence. Delivered across the Geelong area, the program offers a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for women to re-tell their experience of family violence, connect with peers, and engage in recovery. In 2024–2025, ROAR introduced a co-facilitation model involving women with lived experience—past participants who expressed a desire to support others in their recovery.

The inclusion of a co-facilitator with lived experience has introduced a more powerful depth to the group dynamic. Their presence fosters a sense of trust, connection and relatability, allowing participants to feel more seen, heard, and understood. This has helped create an experience where women are more openly sharing and reflecting, inspired by the example of someone who has walked a similar path and is now in a position of leadership and support.

Beyond the group sessions, these peer facilitators have contributed meaningfully to the program’s development. Through reviewing participant feedback and engaging in professional development, they’ve helped shape the content and delivery of the sessions to better reflect the needs and experiences of the women attending. Small but impactful changes—such as incorporating shared meals and creating a warm, welcoming environment have enhanced the sense of value and belonging for participants.

This model has taught us much about the importance of structured support for peer facilitators. With appropriate training, supervision, and collaboration, the role becomes both sustainable and empowering. ROAR demonstrates that embedding lived experience in recovery programs not only strengthens outcomes for those that participate but also fosters leadership, advocacy, and healing within the broader community.