Expert Seminar: HIV and the Criminal Law
Jointly organised by HIV Scotland, Terrence Higgins Trust, University of Edinburgh School of Law and Waverley Care. Friday 21st May: 1-4pm, Raeburn Room, Old College, University of Edinburgh.
This event was organised as a consequence of prosecutions in recent years for the transmission of HIV and exposure to the risk of infection. There has been considerable concern in the HIV sector about the impact of these prosecutions, particularly given the recent use of charges relating simply to exposure to the risk of HIV infection (as opposed to actual transmission). Such prosecutions, it is feared, might have damaging consequences for public health by deterring individuals from either seeking testing or for engaging in frank discussions about their sexual behaviour with health professionals. This has been of particular concern given that the matter has not been the subject of parliamentary consideration or debate. This seminar provided an opportunity to bring together individuals from (amongst other areas) legal practice, clinical practice, government policy-making and HIV support organisations to discuss the implications of these prosecutions and the best way forward.
- Click here to download a report on the discussions at and outcomes from the seminar.
- Click here to download James Chalmers' handout on the law in historical and comparative context.
- Click here to download Lisa Power's slides on the English experience with prosecutions.
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