HIV testing, counselling and prophylaxis following sexual assault

Abstract

The impact of possible infection with HIV in survivors of sexual assault has received little attention in the first decade of the AIDS epidemic. This maybe due, in part, to society’s conflicting attitudes and beliefs concerning STDs, AIDS, and rape. This paper (reprinted from JAMA) presents the proposals of the Working Group on HIV Testing, Counseling and Prophylaxis after Sexual Assault (USA) for the development of policies and principles of clinical intervention in the care of survivors. It also examines the ethical, public health, and legal justifications for a policy of limited compulsory testing of persons accused of sexual assault. The paper is followed by a letter to JAMA, which argues against their proposal of limited compulsory testing, and a response from the authors.