Gains have been made against HIV-related stigma and discrimination, but discriminatory attitudes remain extremely high in far too many countries. Discrimination can manifest in criminal laws that give license to discrimination, aggressive law enforcement, harassment and violence, pushing key populations to the margins of society and denying them access to basic health and social services, including HIV services.

Surveys and studies across regions show that large percentages of key populations are victims of physical and sexual violence: among 36 countries with recently available data, more than half of sex workers in eight countries reported experiencing physical violence, and in two countries, at least half reported experiencing sexual violence.

In four of 17 countries with recently available data, more than one in five gay men and other men who have sex with men reported experiencing sexual violence.