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HIV and the law

More than two decades after the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in Australia, people living with HIV still face unacceptable levels of discrimination and stigma.

NAPWA is working to end discrimination, protect the legal rights of positive people and foster an environment of co-operation and trust.

Key resources

HIV+ Gay Sex
HIV+ Gay Sex (cover)

A booklet about being gay, having HIV and sex. Second Edition (2002).

Same-Sex Law Reform and Pension Changes: the Case for Savings Provisions & Other Transitional Arrangements
Same Sex Law Reform briefing paper - cover

This briefing paper discusses the impact of changes to social security payments (including the Disability Support Pension) for people in same-sex relationships, which are planned to take effect from 1 July 2009.

Declaration of rights for people living with HIV/AIDS

Story • 18 November 2005

Full text of the revised Declaration of Rights for People Living with HIV/AIDS, launched at the NAPWA Conference on 19 November. read more »

Progress on criminalisation

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 24 November 2011

Some countries have made significant progress in recent times by reforming laws around HIV transmission and exposure offences, Edwin J Barnard from the UK told people at the conference. read more »

Criminalisation and the sexual transmission of HIV - Policy position – January 2007

Policy paper • Graham Stocks • 10 November 2011

NAPWA is the national peak organisation representing people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia. Through leadership in advocacy, policy, education and prevention, NAPWA strives to minimise the adverse personal and social effects of HIV/AIDS. read more »

HIV, Criminal Law and Public Health Forum

Story • Sean Slavin • 5 August 2011

Criminal prosecutions involving HIV transmission or exposure are becoming more common around the world, including in Australia. read more »

Unlawful intentions

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 3 March 2011

Adrian Ogier tries to makes sense of the HIV criminal cases currently before the courts. read more »

Fiji outlaws HIV discrimination

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 25 February 2011

Fiji has made it unlawful to discriminate against people with HIV.

The HIV/AIDS Decree 2011 was adopted by the government this month, winning praise locally and internationally.

Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation legal trainer and policy analyst, Laitia Tamata, says the decree represents years of hard work by many people to give PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHAPerson (or People) Living with HIV/AIDS.. a legal avenue to challenge discrimination. read more »

An end to stigma

Story • Sean Slavin • 28 January 2011

The stigma of HIV is something we can live without. And with your help we can make a start.

We want to hear from all sorts of people, particularly positve women, about what it means to be positive. read more »

AIDS 2010 opens with calls to action on human rights and the hope for a cure

Story • Paul Kidd • 20 July 2010

The XVIII International AIDS Conference has officially started with an opening session focusing heavily on the need for action on human rights and a call by an Australian researcher for greater focus on the prospect of a cure for HIV. read more »

AIDS 2010: Science and the law in HIV criminalisation

Story • Paul Kidd • 19 July 2010

The role of science and scientific evidence in HIV criminalisation was highlighted in a pre-conference session at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria on 18 July. read more »

Fanning HIV fear fosters discrimination

Story • Robert Mitchell • 3 June 2010

Recent reporting of HIV transmission cases in Australian media has shown the ignorance of many commentators of the comprehensive detail of systems and procedures for management of people who put other sat risk, which in the majority of cases are effective at reducing risks to the community.  read more »

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HIV Clinical Trials update

Recently updated entries from the NAPWA Clinical Trials database.

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