Help our fight against HIV stigma
Last updated:We’ve launched the #LetsEndStigma campaign: so you can get behind us in this fight for everyone’s rights.
We’ve launched the #LetsEndStigma campaign: so you can get behind us in this fight for everyone’s rights.
How one nurse's experience of stigma at work led to change for all healthcare workers living with HIV.
This is a guest blog for NAT from Silvia Petretti, joint CEO at Positively UK. Visit the Changing Perceptions website here.
Last month newspapers reported the trial and conviction of a man who had gone berserk in a Manchester hotel, during which he both caused criminal damage and bit a police officer who had been called to the scene to restrain him. Deplorable of course, though sadly not that uncommon an event. But there was a twist to this story, fastened on in newspaper headlines:
“‘Vile coward’ salesman with HIV deliberately BIT family man copper in shock hotel assault”
We’re calling on the next government to stand with people affected by HIV
“It is time for us to step up and acknowledge that stigma and discrimination still act as the greatest barrier to us defeating this disease once and for all.”
For many in HIV advocacy addressing stigma is the Holy Grail.
Many, if not all, of the factors that drive the HIV epidemic are embroiled with stigma. The impact it has on the lives of people living with HIV is well documented. In a recent survey of over half of people living with HIV reported feelings of shame, guilt, low self-esteem and self-blame; one in five had experienced verbal harassment or threats.1
Stigma should be our top priority, yet we have not identified concrete strategies for reducing it. So why do we find stigma so difficult to tackle?