Another Survey Shows Counter-Intuitive Impact Of HIV Criminalization

A new survey by the Sero Project found that among people with HIV, 25 percent say they know someone who won’t get tested for HIV because they’re afraid they will be prosecuted if they test positive. The survey demonstrates that laws that criminalize the nondisclosure of HIV actually adds to the virus’ stigma, with 50 percent saying it’s “appropriate” for someone not to get tested out of fear of prosecution, and 40 percent calling it reasonable not to access HIV care. A similar study in Canada similarly found that HIV criminalization laws discourage many people from getting tested.