Issues we work on

Read more about the policy areas we work on in this area

NAT Topic - Criminalisation

Criminalisation of HIV

Criminalisation of HIV

The issue: 

Since 2001, there have been prosecutions for the reckless transmission of HIV in the UK. However, this has not reduced HIV transmission. Instead, it has undermined public health by increasing stigma, victimisation and discrimination of people living with HIV. Investigations are often long and protracted and spark stigmatising media coverage.  

What we do: 

National AIDS Trust influences legal and policy developments, police and prosecutor practice and the way the media talks about criminalisation of HIV transmission. We strive to limit the detrimental impact of prosecutions. We do this by working with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the media. We monitor prosecutions and intervene on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that people living with HIV are treated fairly within the criminal justice system. For those researching this issue we have also compiled a table of all known prosecutions which is available on request.


Check out our latest resources on this topic below: 

Blog

Sarah Radcliffe
On 11 November the Mirror published an article online called 'The Hollywood actor with HIV deserves everything he gets –...
Suzi Price
There have been a number of reports of on an HIV criminalisation case in the media this week, describing the...
Sarah Radcliffe
At the International AIDS Conference in Melbourne there has been lots of talk about the criminal law can impede the...

Press Releases

Daryll Rowe has been convicted on five charges of intentional HIV transmission and five charges...
NAT (National AIDS Trust) is launching the Let's End It campaign today at an event...
Media coverage on people living with HIV is twice as likely to be negative (48%)...

Publications

HIV and the police: case studies exploring local responses to HIV stigma in the police
Investigation Guidance relating to the Criminal Transmission of HIV
Prosecutions for Criminal Transmission of HIV and other STIs: Table of Cases

Real Stories

Online Guides

Teachers' Resources