Issues -> Health Consequences ->

Sexually transmitted infections are recognized consequences of rape. Research on women in shelters has shown that women who experience both sexual and physical abuse from intimate partners are significantly more likely to have had sexually transmitted diseases.(1) For women who have been trafficked into sex work, the risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are likely to be particularly high.

Excerpted from World Report on Violence and Health, WHO (2002)

References

1. Wingood et al, Adverse Consequences of intimate partner abuse among women in non-urban domestic violence shelters American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2000, 19:270-275.

• Associations Between Recent Gender-Based Violence and Pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Condom Use Practices, and Negotiation of Sexual Practices Among HIV-Positive Women. Lang DL, Salazar LF, Wingood GM, DiClemente RJ, Mikhail I. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007

• Guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections WHO 2003

• Other links