Interpersonal violence remains one of the most overlooked drivers of the HIV epidemic. For many people—especially women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those living at the margins, violence is not just a personal tragedy; it is a public health crisis. As someone who has walked this journey for more than three decades, I have seen how fear, control, emotional abuse, and physical harm silence people who most need support, safety, and care.
Violence shapes how people access treatment, disclose their status, protect their health, and navigate relationships. It can interrupt medication, limit autonomy, and erode a person’s ability to make empowered decisions about their body and their wellness.
To end HIV, we must address the violence that surrounds it. This means centering healing, safety, dignity, and trauma-informed care in every space, from homes to clinics to community programs. Our communities cannot move forward unless all of us are safe, seen, and supported.
Linda H Scruggs, DHL, MHS, LPC (Woman Living with an AIDS Diagnosis)
Ribbon – A Center of Excellence, Co-Executive Director
United States
#16Days
#ACTToEndViolence
#NoExcuse
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