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)