Domestic violence and HIV

Serinda, 29, lived in the West Midlands with her husband of three years and worked as a secretary. When her husband became very ill and was diagnosed with HIV, their GP suggested that she should also take a HIV test but her husband did not want her to. He also told her not to tell anyone else in the family the reason for his illness.

However, a friend persuaded Serinda that she should get tested for HIV for her own sake. When she told her husband that she, too, had HIV, he became very angry and beat her viciously, breaking her arm twice, fracturing her pelvis and burning her with a cigarette.

Disowned by her family

While Serinda was hospitalised with these injuries, he told both their families and her workplace that she had infected him with HIV and tried to kill him. Both families disowned her immediately, and her brother-in-law was overheard by a nurse on the hospital ward threatening to kill her after she was discharged.

Supported by us

Understanding the urgency of the situation, the local authority found Serinda a place of safety away from her home district. However, the new home they offered her had no furnishings except carpet and a bed.  She was unable to take any of her belongings from home for fear of assault. So our Hardship Fund helped her to furnish her home so that she was able to move in.

Serinda has begun to make friends and to come to terms with her diagnosis. Although she still lives in fear of her husband, she can begin to rebuild her life.