Abuse Among People Living with HIV/AIDS

In general, one in three women experiences intimate partner violence (IPV), which is violence in a romantic relationship.¹ However, one in every two women living with HIV/AIDS experiences IPV² as this image from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows:

Domestic violence also increases the risk of exposure to HIV.³ While people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly women and LGBTQ individuals, are more likely to be victims of domestic violence,⁴ abusers living with HIV/AIDS may use their HIV status to control or hurt their partners as well.⁵

¹ HIV.gov, “What Are HIV and AIDS?”
² AIDS United, “The Intersection of Women, Violence, Trauma and HIV”
³ Futures Without Violence, “The Facts on Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS”
⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and HIV in Women”
⁵ New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, “Domestic Violence and HIV/AIDS”