December 4, 2009

Report: HIV Criminalization Laws Unnecessary

Laws criminalizing HIV transmission are not necessary, according to a report published in the November 2009 issue of Reproductive Health Matters and reported by Medical News Today.  

The report argues that even in the rare cases where malicious intent to pass on the virus is established, existing laws, such as those against battery, are sufficient enough to allow for proper prosecution under criminal law. Furthermore, people with HIV who do not deserve punishment may as a result of prosecution have to deal with human rights violations.  

According to the article, criminalization of HIV transmission has found support in Africa from women’s groups who argue the laws protect women and girls from unfaithful sex partners, sex partners who do not reveal their HIV status and sexual violence.  

However, the laws may put women more at risk for prosecution because more women in Africa are tested for HIV than men.

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Previous Comments:

Lisa, , 2010-01-19 00:52:12
STRONGLY disagree with this since I was given HIV by a man who knew & did not care the consequences he has choose to put on others by NOT disclosing...he not only has infected me but another prior to me & another since me that he INTENTIONALLY decided to have a baby with again without disclosing! This man needs to be prosecuted for what he is doing, he needs to be stopped & even a journal with about 10 other womens name was found, this is horrendous & NOT ok!!

yv2k, Cincinnati, 2009-12-12 12:00:30
There are many more diseases that ARE communicable and MORE deadly than HIV that are NOT "criminalized"...something like Hepatitus C.... browse the web...IT is considered more lethal and deadly than HIV but do you see any criminalization for it..Heck no...It has a gorgeous celebrity spokesperson...The world needs to GROW UP and GET EDUCATED... I see HIV as a blessing for strengthening me for future that attack the human race... HIV people WILL SURVIVE IT we are already STRONGER!

Mike Nilsen, oslo, 2009-12-11 10:54:46
Interesting and important new information - but I wish the journalist would have published more of the article, any chance for that..?