There are many forms of violence that can increase a person’s risk of HIV infection.
Three common ways are:
Rape
- The key to limiting your risk of HIV infection is using a condom. It is very seldom that a rape will occur in a situation where a condom will be used.
- Due to the violent nature of rape and sexual assault, a victim will be at a higher risk of genital injury and bleeding, which will increase the risk of contracting HIV.
- In cases of gang rape, a victim’s exposure to many assailants will contribute to the risk of HIV infection.
Domestic Violence
- Being in an abusive relationship may limit your ability to discuss and come to a mutual agreement on safe sex.
- Fear of rejection and partner violence could deter women from requesting condom usage.
- Married women or men may be accused of being unfaithful if they ask their partners to use a condom.
- In dating relationships, women may be seen as ‘loose’ or ‘sleeping around’ if they ask to use a condom.
- Some people believe that condoms are only used in ‘casual’ relationships. Women may use unprotected sex as a symbolic step towards a more meaningful, long term relationship.
Childhood sexual abuse
- There is a theory that women who were abused as children are at a greater risk to HIV infection because they may behave in riskier sexual behavior as adults.