Content warning: this video series discusses violence and abuse against women living with HIV in detail, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, racism, transmisia, HIV stigma, and mental health.

In October of 2014, during Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month, PWN-USA spearheaded the first-ever National Day of Action to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV (Day of Action) to draw attention to the high rates of interpersonal violence, abuse, and systemic brutality faced by women living with HIV – including the murder of women following the disclosure of their HIV status.

Ten years later, thanks to funding from the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), we talked to a group of PWN members about the ways in which violence against women living with HIV has shown up in their lives. The result was hours of honest, raw, and inspiring testimony from folks who have lived every kind of violence that people face, and still choose to engage and organize in community with the deepest love possible. Some participants chose to appear with their full name, some with only first names, some only in voice, highlighting PWN’s stance on the importance of elevating the stories of folks no matter where they are in their disclosure journey.

The video debuted on October 1st, 2024 live on Facebook with a group of panelists, some who were featured in the video and some who were not. This first discussion of the video, along with another community conversation held on October 24th, became the basis for a discussion guide–a tool we hope will inspire you to hold your own conversations about ending violence against women living with HIV in groups large or small.

The storytellers in our video are: Lovy, Kenya Moussa, Shekinah Rose, Maria “Cookie” Cruz, Estoria Wright, Gracie Borns, Jay Reed, Jeanette Murdock, Stacy Senghor, KJ, Mary Jane “MJ” Maestas, Mary Lucero Hill, Porchia Dees, Kineen Mafa, Arianna Ray, Te Ann, Martha Sichone Cameron, and Teresia Otieno. The interviews were conducted by Grace O. Rutha and Barb Cardell.

#PWNCares: The Violence of HIV Stigma

A short clip from the full-length video containing discussions of HIV stigma and the many different forms and settings in which it takes place.

#PWNCares: Why is the National Day of Action to End Violence Against WLHIV Important?

A clip video focusing on the first question we asked our interviewees: “Why is PWN’s National Day of Action to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV important to you?”

#PWNCares: A Message to Women Living in Violence

A clip from the end of the full-length video containing powerful messages about self love and radical acceptance from PWN members. For folks who are currently living in or experiencing violence, or for anyone who may find the rest of the interview content triggering, get empowered from this heart-felt advice.