VIRUS AND VIOLENCE

THE RELATIONSHIP OF

Ryan R. Pinili, PTRP

Achieve Inc.

Philippines

THE RELATIONSHIP OF

VIOLENCE ON HIV: BEFORE AND

AFTER THE INFECTION

Violence & HIV

� It has been three decades since the first case

of HIV was reported

� Stigma has long been associated with the HIV

� The society dishonour, discredit or � The society dishonour, discredit or

discriminate against People Living with or

perceived to have HIV

Violence experienced by

migrants� This is often expressed through

� Ostracizing, Rejecting, Avoiding, Ridiculing or

Shaming PLHIVs or those suspected to have the

infection.infection.

� It is manifested in

� mandatory HIV testing

� Detention

� Deportation practices that are done without

referral to services

Violence against PLHIVs or

those perceived to have HIV

� is the extreme manifestation of HIV-

related discrimination.

� appears as a factor in harassment, police � appears as a factor in harassment, police

misconduct, sexual assault and rape.

� not necessarily physical

� It is whenever a person is victimized by his or

her actual or perceived HIV status

Research Centre for Health Economics and Evaluation (ReCHEE)

Violence Resulting to HIV

� Padma of Sri Lanka went to the Middle East as a

domestic worker but was raped several times by her

employers’ son. She got infected with HIV and eventually

deported.

� Yuan from the Philippines worked in Saudi Arabia for 7

years. His Iqama expired and was offered by his Arab

boyfriend to stay in his house. He was given as a gift to

his boyfriend’s circle where he was sexually abused by 7

people.

Violence after the HIV

infection

� Aidan from the Philippines was able to go to Abu Dhabi

and found work as a data analyst. But he had to undergo

HIV testing to get his work permit. When he was found to

be HIV positive, he was brought to the hospital, taken to

HIV testing to get his work permit. When he was found to

be HIV positive, he was brought to the hospital, taken to

an isolated room without telling him why he was there.

The police who brought him there made him wrap a

bandage around his ankle before they put shackles on

them. Both of his feet were in chains for 29 days, which

was how long he was quarantined before being deported

back to the Philippines.

Violence after the HIV

infection� Michael from the Philippines worked in Saudi Arabia as a

Physical Therapist for 8 years and provided for his

family’s needs. He was deported after getting diagnosed

with HIV and when his family found out, he was

disowned and thrown out of the house that he bought for disowned and thrown out of the house that he bought for

them. They even burned his personal belongings and

everything he touched.

� Ching Fei of Vietnam was trafficked to Malaysia and was

sexually exploited. She got infected with HIV and her in-

laws forcibly took her daughter from her when they

found out about her status.

Violence after the HIV

infection� Ramesh of India worked in Oman as a driver. He came

out positive for HIV on his annual medical test and was

deported back to his country. The news about his HIV

status spread through a local newspaper because an

irresponsible journalist overheard what happened to him. irresponsible journalist overheard what happened to him.

His neighbours started ostracizing him and friends

avoided him. His wife’s family filed for divorce. He was

publicly humiliated and rejected by friends and family

members.

Research Centre for Health Economics and Evaluation (ReCHEE)

The Message

� Violence can lead to HIV infection and it can also be a

consequence of the HIV infection.

� Unless Stigma against HIV is addressed, violence will

always be associated with it and PLHIVs or those who are always be associated with it and PLHIVs or those who are

perceived to have HIV will continue to have their rights

violated

The Challenge

� Violence in any forms be it physical, emotional, financial

or psychological, or in any forms, whether direct or

indirect, need to stop.

� This requires the commitment of all stakeholders and the � This requires the commitment of all stakeholders and the

involvement of the communities.

� We need to speak out against violence.

� We need to condemn violence.

The Challenge

Violence cannot have a place

in our society if we hope to in our society if we hope to

ever stop the further spread

of HIV.

The End

Research Centre for Health Economics and Evaluation (ReCHEE)