A new form of violence has emerged and that is bringing panic to the carriers of HIV in Rio de Janeiro.

When the bandits discover that someone is carrying the HIV virus, they beat violently someone which family has a HIV carrier and threaten to kill all the family. Victims do not even have time to take their possessions. They are required to vanish completely from where they live so they do not suffer the consequences.

Joana (fictitious name) was beaten by 5 bandits who then told her “your mother should leave this place now.” The bias within the Rio slums is great with people with HIV, because the biggest part of those who live in the slums are very poorly informed about the transmission of the virus.

The Municipal Secretary of Social Welfare is investigating the evictions and therefore refuses to comment on the cases.