Gujarat Woman Alleges Sexual Abuse By HIV+ Husband, Seeks Help From 181 Helpline

Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 20:53 IST

The woman, who has been married for over 10 years now and has a 8-year-old child, told counsellors that her husband had been forcing her into sexual relations despite having HIV.

The woman alleged that her husband had turned violent and coercive after his HIV diagnosis. (Representative image)

In a troubling case from Gujarat, a woman in Ahmedabad has reached out to the state’s ‘Abhayam 181’ women’s helpline, alleging relentless physical and mental abuse by her husband. According to her, her husband turned violent and coercive towards her after being diagnosed HIV positive two years ago.

The woman, who has been married for over 10 years now and is the mother of an 8-year-old child, told counsellors that her husband had been forcing her into sexual relations despite having HIV. She alleged that each time she resisted, she was beaten and threatened with being thrown out of the house.

According to her statement, the situation deteriorated after her husband’s HIV diagnosis. She claims he began exhibiting erratic behaviour, sank into drug addiction, and became increasingly abusive. When she tried to warn him that another pregnancy could pose serious health risks to them and the child, he dismissed her concerns with threats and aggression.

Abhayam 181 is a helpline launched by the Gujarat government to support women in distress.

Recounting the woman’s ordeal, a counsellor from the Abhayam service said that the woman had supported her husband through his illness, hoping their family would remain intact. But when he attempted to force her out of the house, she feared for her and her child’s safety and reached out to the helpline.

The counselling team facilitated a session with both the woman and her husband, during which they educated the couple about the legal rights of women, the importance of consent in marital relationships, and the consequences of abuse. While the woman has chosen not to file a formal police complaint for now, she has been assured that legal recourse remains open should the harassment continue.

In what appears to be a temporary resolution, the husband reportedly acknowledged his actions and promised to change. However, experts caution that without sustained support or legal intervention, such cases often risk relapse into patterns of abuse.

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