Utilizing Domestic Violence Providers to Prevent and Reduce HIV/AIDS in Underserved Women

Evidence based research has identifed a link between women who have experienced domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) and their exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Research suggest that most staff in DV and IPV programs currently lack the skills or training to initiate conversations about HIV with battered women. To this end, staff are more adequately prepared to address physical abuse issues and more reluctant to ask questions about sexual abuse, exclusively. Such studies also recommend DV and IPV shelters as a venue for assessing and preventing a client's risk for HIV/AIDS by providing HIV prevention and education information.

This presentation will present the: 1) intersection of domestic violence with female clients risk for HIV in an urban setting, 2) strategies to educate DV and IPV counselors on how to incorporate HIV/AIDS prevention into their existing programs and 3) strategies for increasing HIV education and knowledge prevention skills among clients who utilize battered women's services.