Africa Knowledge Management Portal
Informing health decisions and actions
Criminal Law, Public Health and HIV Transmission: A Policy Options Paper
Health Systems
HIVAIDS
Description
A number of cases have been reported in which people living with HIV have been criminally charged for a variety of acts that transmit HIV or risk transmission. In some cases, criminal charges have been laid for conduct that is merely perceived as risking transmission, sometimes with very harsh penalties imposed. Some jurisdictions have moved to enact or amend legislation specifically to address such conduct. The issue has also received public and academic commentary