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Intimate Partner Violence and HIV/AIDS

From "Quick Facts for Survivors"

Did you know that ----

1. Having sex without using a condom means you may be exposed to HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Unless you and your partner/s are tested, you may be infected and not know it.

2. 12% of HIV/AIDS among women in romantic relationships is related to violence or abuse.

3. Women whose partners are violent are 3 times more likely to get HIV/AIDS.

4. Women are more likely than men to get HIV/AIDS when having sex.

5. Men who rape, force sex or are violent have more sexual partners and have sex more often. This may make having sex with them risky for HIV/AIDS.

6. Many women say they cannot choose whether condoms or other protection will be used during sex. Some cannot safely say "no" to having sex or doing other things their partner wants them to do. This means they are at more risk for HIV/AIDS.

7. Stress, depression and trauma from abuse can make you more at risk for HIV/AIDS.

8. Women who have had several sexual partners have higher risk for HIV/AIDS. There is more risk if an abuser forces or insists on sex with you and/or others.

9. If your partner is HIV+ and you don't know it, you may miss the chance to take medicines that will help you live a long life.

10. Nothing is 100% safe, but latex condoms are best for preventing HIV. To avoid HIV, you have to keep your body fluids from mixing with someone else's.

11. If you are pregnant, medicines can be taken that will help keep your baby from being born with HIV (if taken soon).

12. Find a place to get tested, treated, learn more about prevention or get other information by calling the National AIDS Hotline: 1-800-CDC-INFO 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636 1-800-232-4636 ) or going to www.hivtest.org

13. There are some safe ways to get tested:

You can be tested anonymously (not give your name)

In order to keep more people safe, the testing site will ask about past sex partners (including your current and recent partners)

You can ask that your partner not be notified until you are in a safe place (we will help you with this, if you ask)

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