Posts
An audit report on discrimination
and stigma by people living with HIV has requested new initiatives to build
resistance among HIV-infected persons. The report urges the New South Wales
Government to drop criminal laws forcing HIV-infected persons to disclose their
status to sexual partners.
The recently released “HIV Stigma
Audit” reported on a survey of about 700 Australians and was jointly
commissioned by the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA)
and the National Centre in HIV Social Research. About 60 percent of respondents
reported that they always or occasionally felt ashamed or blamed for being
HIV-positive when with sexual partners, as well as by reporting in the media.
About 42 percent responded that they work hard to keep their positive status a
secret.
Dr. Sean Slavin, NAPWA assistant
director and lead researcher for the audit, stated that with HIV stigma still
operating, steps should be taken to remove current laws in New South Wales that
criminalize nondisclosure to sexual partners, as long as the HIV-infected
persons take reasonable measures to avoid transmission. He emphasized that it
was important to focus on promoting resilience, as the audit showed that more
than 67 percent of respondents reported their quality of life was good or very
good, with over 56 percent reporting being satisfied or very satisfied with
their health. Slavin noted that resilience-building initiatives should aim to
increase the abilities of people with HIV/AIDs to either challenge stigma when
it occurs or simply dismiss it and not let it bother them.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
