Rape Victims' Concerns About Possible Exposure to HIV Infection

• NCJ Number: 126579
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1990) Pages: 49-60
• Author(s): T C Baker; A W Burgess; E Brickman; R C Davis
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 MH40352-01; R01 MH43747-01
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The advent of the HIV virus, and its relationship with AIDS, has added to the trauma of rape victims.

Abstract

This article presents preliminary finds of a study currently being conducted in New York City. Data on concerns of sexual assault victims regarding HIV infection and AIDS are examined in light of three hypotheses: (1) that victims expressing concerns about AIDS display higher levels of post-crime symptomatology than those not expressing concern; (2) that both economic status and race affect level of AIDS anxiety; and (3) that victims are concerned about the response of their social network to the threat of HIV infection. It is hoped that these preliminary data will alert rape counselors to the fact that some victims will be concerned about HIV infection and to provide some insight into the nature of that fear. 5 tables and 30 references