PEP For Rape Survivors - Natasha 21

Raped by her partner

I worked at a clinic that provided medical care to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and one day, a young woman came to the clinic to seek help after being raped by her partner. She was visibly shaken, scared, and worried about possibly contracting HIV from her HIV-positive partner. People do not think that their sexual partner can rape them. Still, it happens because rape is a sexual assault involving sexual intercourse or other sexual penetration carried out against a person without their consent. If your partner forces you to have sex, that is rape.

Preventing HIV infection and unplanned pregnancy

Since the lady was scared, we had to reassure her that she was safe in our clinic. We immediately provided her with Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). It is a combination of antiretroviral medication given within 72 hours of potential exposure to HIV. It is taken 28 days to prevent HIV infection in an individual who has been exposed to HIV through rape, for instance. She was also given emergency contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Over the next few weeks, we monitored the survivor's health closely and supported her in taking the medication. We also provided her with counseling services to help her heal from the trauma of the rape.

HIV- negative!!

She completed the entire course of PEP, and we offered an HIV test to confirm she was free of the virus. Thankfully, the test turned negative for HIV. This incident reminded me of PEP's critical role in preventing the spread of HIV after rape. It is an urgent need for survivors of gender-based violence.

PEP is a beautiful tool…

Unfortunately, millions of women and girls worldwide experience GBV every year, including rape, which puts them at risk of getting infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and even getting unplanned pregnancies. PEP is a powerful tool that can help prevent the spread of HIV in these cases, but it is not a substitute for comprehensive prevention efforts that address the root causes of GBV. Instead, PEP is part of more extensive efforts to prevent GBV and support survivors in their healing journey.