Woman took HIV boyfriend back

A woman fighting ACC for compensation for the trauma of being exposed to HIV by her boyfriend took him back after she found out he was infected with the disease.

The 34-year-old woman, whose name is suppressed, had unprotected sex with the man for several months before he told her he was HIV-positive.

He was charged with criminal nuisance for hiding the information and jailed for nine months in 1999. The woman escaped contracting HIV, but developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of her experience.

ACC rejected her claim for compensation for a mental injury. An appeal against that decision was heard in Wellington District Court yesterday.

Judge David Ongley reserved his decision.

The appeal could set a legal precedent affecting other potential claimants exposed to HIV by sexual partners who hid their condition.

- NZPA