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News by the HIV Justice Network

UK: Most gay men support criminal HIV transmission prosecutions

27 January 2009
United Kingdom Resources Social science Research
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A startling and important new report from Sigma Research, entitled Sexually charged: the views of gay and bisexual men on criminal prosecutions for sexual HIV transmission has found that the majority of more than 8000 gay men surveyed in 2006 during the annual Gay Men’s Sex Survey support prosecutions for ‘reckless’ HIV transmission.

An excellent summary of the report’s findings, Ignorance and stigma provide foundation for gay men’s support of criminalisation of HIV transmission by Michael Carter, can be read at aidsmap.com.

The report’s lead author, Catherine Dodds, reported part of these findings at the 2008 CHAPS conference, and I had the honour of joining her on stage to discuss how the gay community might be able to respond to them. A report of our presentations was published in the July 2008 edition of THT’s Issue magazine.

Update: 17th March. In order to respond to a comment I’m uploading a table from the report showing who exactly supports prosecutions by HIV testing history.

As you can see, although ‘only’ 49.4% of HIV-positive gay men do not agree with prosecutions, a further 31% are not sure, leaving a significant minority (19.6%) in favour of prosecutions. This compares with 56.3% of HIV-negative gay men and 63.5% of untested gay men who support criminal prosecutions.

News by the HIV Justice Network

Our 2024 Annual Report:
A Year of Progress, Challenge and Purpose

August 29, 2025

New global data reveals rising HIV criminalisation amid stalling legal reforms

July 15, 2025

HIV Unwrapped: Justice in Every Stitch

July 14, 2025

HJN’s Executive Director remarks to the
56th UNAIDS Board (PCB)

June 26, 2025

Humanising the Law: Harnessing Science and
Community Voices to End HIV Criminalisation

May 28, 2025

News curated from other sources

Canada: Reform of HIV criminalisation laws remains stalled amid political delays

Advocates against HIV criminalization decry Carney silence on reform Trudeau promised
August 24, 2025

US: Missouri prison system ends solitary confinement policy targeting people with HIV

A Woman With HIV Spent Six Years in Solitary. She Sued and Missouri Will Change Its Policy.
August 24, 2025

US: Louisiana’s HIV laws lag behind HIV science

Louisiana upholds its HIV exposure law as other states change or repeal theirs
July 20, 2025

Criminalization and funding cuts threaten global progress against HIV/AIDS

High-risk HIV groups facing record levels of criminalisation as countries bring in draconian laws
July 10, 2025

Benin: MPs attend workshop to gain up-to-date knowledge to support review of HIV Law

HIV/AIDS in Benin: towards a review of the law on prevention and care, MPs equipped
July 3, 2025
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Disclaimer

This website operates as a global hub, consolidating a wide range of resources on HIV criminalisation for advocates working to abolish criminal and similar laws, policies and practices that regulate, control and punish people living with HIV based on their HIV-positive status. While we endeavour to ensure that all information is correct and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of laws or cases. The information contained on this site is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone seeking clarification of the law in particular circumstances should seek legal advice. Read more

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Stichting HIV Justice (HIV Justice Foundation), Korte Lijnbaanssteeg 1, Kamer 4007, 1012 SL Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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