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NAT condemns conviction for herpes transmission.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

News of the imprisonment of David Golding for 14 months for transmission of herpes only underlines the folly of using the criminal law to address the spread of sexually transmitted infections in this country.  Prosecutions increase stigma and decrease personal responsibility.  At a time when we are all being encouraged to take responsibility for our actions the Government must look again at the harm these prosecutions are doing to our efforts to improve sexual health.  They distract from the key safer sex messages we should all adhere to -
 

  • Use a condom when having sex with a new sexual partner
  • Only stop using a condom when you have both had a full sexual health check up, discussed each others results and received treatment for any STIs.

 
Prosecutions do not support better public health and open discussion of STIs.

- Ends -

Notes to the editor:

For further information please contact: 
Charli Scouller
Communications Manager
NAT
020 7814 6733
press@nat.org.uk

NAT 
NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. We champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change.
Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.
www.nat.org.uk