Women experiencing domestic violence at higher risk for HIV
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2020) – Free HIV testing and education about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and domestic violence is available for the Louisville community through a partnership announced today with The Center for Women and Families, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), and Volunteers of America – Friends Inspiring Testing (VOA-FIT). The “Take Charge, Not Risks” partnership aims to both ensure women who have experienced IPV are aware that they are at higher risk of contracting HIV while also encouraging these high-risk individuals to take charge of their lives, whether it be through IPV support services, HIV testing, or both.
“The correlation between women who have both experienced IPV and have an HIV diagnosis is quite apparent,” said Tamara Reif, Associate Vice President of Program Services for Volunteers of America Mid-States. “Through this partnership with The Center for Women and Families and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, our team hopes to better understand this intersection and provide resources to keep our community safe and healthy.”
“We hope to not only raise awareness among women who have experienced IPV that they are at a higher risk of contracting HIV, but we also want to encourage these women to take charge of their health and safety by seeking out these services,” said April Schweinhart, PhD, Associate Research Scientist from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. “By offering free HIV testing and IPV education, this partnership will make getting these necessary services more readily accessible to anyone who is at risk.”
Click here to watch the WLKY Center for Women And Families Interview
For more information, please visit: www.takechargenotrisks.org
