Exposing Ones Personal Health Information

[NGR4B]

My question involves defamation in the state of: Pennsylvania
A friend of mine is having trouble with her ex boyfriend with whom she has children too. He is jealous that she has moved on and is seeing another man so he has resorted to harassing her via phone/text and spreading private health information about her to other people (i.e. sexually transmitted disease). Is there anything legally she can do to get him to stop or get him in trouble for doing this? It is devasting her.

[Dogmatique]

Does she actually have an STD?

With whom is he sharing this information?

[NGR4B]

The information is true. He is telling people that are in the circle of friends to the new man she is seeing (including his man's soon to be ex-wife) which doesn't help. The matter is private not to mention embarrassing and devasting for other people to know. I'm waiting for it to show up on facebook too.

[Dogmatique]

The truth is a defense to a defamation claim.

However, there may still be an invasion of privacy issue.

But before your friend goes down that route, she may need to consider her position here. She is carrying a STD, and that usually comes with ramifications - every single partner needs to know.

She may also want to stay away from married men if custody is up in the air (as I'm sure it will be soon).

[NGR4B]

She does know that she would have to tell her new significant other eventually about her condition but they were not at that point in the relationship yet. As far as the ex-boyfriend getting the kids i don't think it would ever happen. He has a child abuse charge against him now.

[Dogmatique]

A charge is nothing.

A CONVICTION however would be different.

Many disgruntled parents make allegations against the other parent. It's tragically not uncommon.