Overview

 

The link between sexual violence and HIV is well established. It is in part directly biological as women may be exposed to HIV during rape, and partly mediated through gender power inequalities and the impact of sexual violence on women’s sense of self, and in particular perceptions of control over sexual access to their bodies and their self-esteem.

Sexual Violence and Women’s Vulnerability to HIV
Types of evidence used to establish the link between sexual and gender-based violence and HIV infection include:

    • Follow-up studies showing increased risk of HIV among previously HIV negative rape survivors:
    • Cohort studies in Africa of HIV-discordant partners showing an increased risk of infection among partners who report violence;
    • Studies associating childhood sexual abuse with HIV risk later in life;
    • Studies of indirect consequences for HIV risk of coerced first intercourse at any age;
    • Increased HIV risk associated with intimate partner violence.
  • The link between sexual violence and HIV is well established. It is in part directly biological as women may be exposed to HIV during rape, and partly mediated through gender power inequalities and the impact of sexual violence on women’s sense of self, and in particular perceptions of control over sexual access to their bodies and their self-esteem.

Direct Risks:

  • If the perpetrator is infected, HIV transmission may occur during the rape. If the rape results in abrasions and tears these will facilitate the entry of the virus into the bloodstream.
  • Those who suffer anal rape are also considerably more susceptible to HIV since anal tissues can be easily damaged, allowing the virus an easier entry into the body.

Indirect Risks:

  • Physically violent men are more likely to have HIV and to impose risky sexual practices on their partners. They are more likely to have multiple partners, to have sex more often, to practice transactional sex, to practice anal sex and to report symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STI).
  • HIV-infected women are more likely to have experienced physical or sexual violence; and victims of violence are at higher risk of HIV infection.
  • Men who have been victims or perpetrators of violence against males are highly suspectible to HIV.
  • Being a victim of sexual violence can make women susceptible to risk behaviours which can lead to HIV infection.
  • Forced sex in childhood or adolescence increases the risk of contracting HIV as it adds to  the likelihood of:
    • having first consensual sex at a younger age
    • engaging in unprotected sex
    • having multiple partners
    • participating in transactional sex.
  • People who experience forced sex in intimate relationships often find it difficult to negotiate condom use; and proposing the use of the condom may increase women’s risk of violence.
  • Fear of partner violence and rape impede women’s access to HIV/AIDS information, HIV testing, HIV/AIDS treatment and counselling.
  • Sex workers are among those disproportionately affected by HIV, with estimated prevalence ranging from 30% in Yaounde, Cameroon to 75% in Kisumu, Kenya.
  • According to research in South Africa, “An estimated 16% of all HIV infections in women could be prevented if women do not experience domestic violence from their partners”.

Reports

 
2009 - 2008
2007 - 2000

Policy Reports, Papers and Briefs

 

Journal articles

 

 

2010
2009 - 2002

Guidelines and Best Practices

 
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SVRI
Gender and Health Research Unit
Medical Research Council, South Africa
Private Bag x385, 0001 Pretoria, South Africa

1 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria

Tel: +27 12 339-8527
Fax: +27 12 339-8582

E-mail: svri@mrc.ac.za

 

Last updated:
5 April, 2012

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