Violence Against Women and Risk for HIV AIDS

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Violence Against Women and Risk for HIV / AIDS

• Ellen J. Elliston, PhD, LCSW, CDVC Manager
• Victim Intervention Program / Rape Crisis
• Parkland Health Hospital System
• [phone]

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Connection Between Sexual Violence Toward Women
and HIV/AIDS

• Sexual violence increases the risk of exposure to
  HIV
• A woman who has contracted HIV is more vulnerable
  to ongoing violence or abuse
• Women in violence or abusive relationships may
  not be able to be compliant with medical regime

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Different Cultural Attitude Toward Women

• Women as property
• Lack of personal freedom
• Politically powerless
• Poverty
• Lack of health care
• Lack of education
• Social isolation
• Restrictive gender roles

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Sexual Violence in the U.S.

• Child abuse 1 in every 3-4 girls is sexually
  abused as a child
• Statutory rape - Intercourse between an adult
  and a child under the age of 16
• ( Age of child may vary by state)
• Dating violence 1 in 3 girls experiences abuse
  or violence in relationships
• Partner violence 25 - 34 of adult women have
  experienced abuse
• Sexual assault - rape
• Drugs and sexual coercion
• Elder abuse

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Cycle of Abuse and Vulnerability

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Increased Vulnerability in Women from Foreign
Countries

• Powerless
• Strict gender roles
• Polygamy sexual freedom of men
• Women are blamed
• Some cultures can kill women who are sexually
  inappropriate
• (rape, affairs, sex outside of marriage)

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Trafficking of Adult Females and Children

• Slavery
• Forced into prostitution
• Mail order brides
• Domestic workers who are abused in the home
• Sex as barter for staying in the country
• Sex used to exist in a foreign culture

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How Do We Proceed?

• Increased awareness
• Staff education
• Personal values and beliefs
• Social and political rights
• Criminal activity and protection under the law
• Immigration policy

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Working With Vulnerable Women

• Listen with empathy
• Assure her she did not cause or deserve the
  abuse
• Assess for safety
• Types and intensity of abuse (e.g. physical,
  sexual or emotional)
• Potential lethality (threats to kill her, the
  children, her family or himself)

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Assessment (Continued)

• Cultural attitudes toward women
• Childhood history of abuse
• Witnessing abuse as a child
• History of adult relationship abuse

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Not My Child! Helping Parents

• Listen empathetically
• If a child is raped, place blame where it belongs
  not on the victim
• Educate on risks for HIV/AIDS
• Be aware that their child may not share their
  religious or social beliefs
• Peer influence

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Things To Watch for in Victims

• Minimization or maximization of the abuse /
  violence
• Lack of family or social support
• Lack of awareness of political, social and civil
  rights in the U.S.
• E.g. Realizing that rape and domestic violence
  are crimes not acts of passion
• Inability to function in U.S. culture
• Language barriers, lack of education or job
  skills, fear of authorities

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Emotional Status

• Self blame, guilt, fear, depression, PTSD or
  other debilitating conditions requiring
  additional professional intervention
• Intentions to harm self or others
• Take immediate steps to assure safety
• Refer to other providers

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Positive Interventions

• Multi-cultural sensitivity
• Acceptance or person in environment
• Respect her as a person
• Cultural, religious, social
• Encourage awareness safety
• Empower her to make healthy decisions
• Respect her right to self-determination
• CARE ABOUT HER AS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL

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Free Resource for Victimized Women in Dallas
County

• Victim Intervention Program Rape Crisis
• Parkland Health Hospital System
• 4811 Harry Hines Blvd.
• Dallas, TX 75235
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]