AIDS Society of India (ASI), a professional body of doctors and researchers in HIV care, has demanded that self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and all such suspected criminals should be subjected to tests for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) like syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C. In case of evidence of any such infection, the victims need to be treated or provided with a preventive medicine course.
“Having passed the sexual potency test, Asaram is capable of sexual assault, as well as transmitting STDs or HIV, if he has any,” said ASI in a press statement.
Asaram was sent to jail on Monday after he was remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a court. He was arrested in Indore following an FIR lodged by the 16-year-old complainant that he sexually assaulted her on August 15. ASI also enlisted a number of suggestions that it thinks must be taken into consideration by the law enforcement agencies in event of dealing with accused like Asaram.
President of ASI, Dr Ishwar Gilada said, “In cases of rape, along with providing immediate trauma care, precaution should also be taken to ensure that the victim does not contract STDs, including HIV. In order to alleviate the danger of an HIV infection, a new treatment system called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be administered to the victims. This is a short term, inexpensive, anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment which can prove effective if
started within eight hours of the rape incident, but could be started within 72 hours.”