Can Sexual Assault Survivors Demand Testing for Perps?
The Delaware House of Representatives has passed a bill mandating that perpetrators of sexual assault take an HIV test if requested by their victims, the Associated Press/CBS3.com reports (cbs3.com, 6/19). The governor must sign the bill before it becomes law.
The bill is sponsored by Representative Debbie Hudson (R-DE). According to Hudson, it would allow sexual assault survivors to quickly access health information and begin treatment, if necessary.
The article also reports that if the bill is signed into law, the state would be eligible for federal funds under the Violence Against Women Act.
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comments 1 - 4 (of 4 total)
Paul, , 2008-06-26 18:38:49
This is a great law. However, I believe that the alleged perp should be proven to have commited the crime first. Victims of sexual assult crimes have every right to know that they may be HIV positive. If you don't want to be tested against your will, then don't force anyone into an unlawful sex act.
Larry, Fort Lauderdale, 2008-06-24 12:54:14
FANTASTIC! Great Idea! This should be universal, but only for proven (convicted or caught in the act) perps.
Cathy, , 2008-06-24 10:20:29
NYS already has a law that offers the survior of a sexual assualt the opportunity to ask for a court order for a perpetrator of a sexual assault to have a court orderd HIV tets and to have the results shared with the survivor. The disclosure of results is limted to certain parties and can not be shared with the court. The reasoning is that the survivor could benefit from prophylatic meds if the perpetrator tests positive.
tzock, , 2008-06-24 09:22:18
And, well they should!
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
