Dear Christine,
I recently broke up with my partner because he was abusive. We had a disagreement while we were driving and he pulled up the handbrake. I put him out of the car and let him know that was the last straw because he was endangering my life.
Since that incident, he has been very abusive whenever he sees me and has gone so far as to send out text messages and emails (both our pictures are attached) to numerous people and businesses, telling everyone that he is HIV positive and has infected me.
I am scared to get tested. Is there anyway that I can prosecute him for sending these messages?
– HURT
Dear Hurt,
You need to deal with this situation on two fronts. The first thing you need to do is to go for counselling and get tested. It is better to know your status than to be sitting there in fear assuming that you are infected when in fact you may not be.
You can contact the AIDS Information Centre at 436-2444 where you can anonymously request to find out what you need to do, where you can go, and everything else involved in getting the test done.
You may also be able to speak with a counsellor who will be able to answer many of your questions on the infection.
Hurt, I know you are scared, but believe me there are very professional people out there who can guide you through this period. All you need to do is to make that phone call and speak up.
You need to go to the police immediately and report this man’s actions. He can be prosecuted for sending those emails and texts. Just print them out and take them to the nearest police station and speak to the officer in charge there.
They provide the proof of your allegations against him. As a result, he could be charged for sending malicious emails.
Years ago a young man here was charged for sending vicious emails so this can be dealt with immediately.
Go to the police.
If you are indeed HIV positive, this man – by his own admission in those emails and texts – would have knowingly and deliberately infected you. Therefore he can possibly be charged with serious bodily harm.
Though there have been no cases of this nature here as far as I know, the fact that he knew he had this incurable infection, but said nothing about it though he engaged in unprotected sex with you, says clearly what his intent was from day one. He is therefore liable should you be tested positive for the disease.
Hurt, this man is obviously a bully who plans to destroy your name if he cannot be in your life. Based on what you said he has done, he is therefore a wicked individual who may be very dangerous.
Again, I appeal to you to go to the police and have them deal with this man.
– Christine
