HIV (12)

There's a trial started in Germany of a woman who failed to tell her lovers that she was HIV+, had unprotected sex with them and one became infected. The link is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10983227

It's getting a lot of attention due to her celebrity status, but raises interesting questions about how society views HIV.

Was she under a moral obligation to inform them of her condition?

Was she any more responsible than her partners to practice safe sex?

Is prosecution an appropriate reaction from society?

I've come across cases where people have threatened others with dirty needles and other instances where the threat of HIV has been used as a weapon in situations of violence. But this isn't a violent confrontation. It's two people agreeing to have consesual sex and neither ensuring adequate protection.

I'm undecided. What do you think?

A dirty mind is a joy for life.

!!!!!!

The friend is negative, thankfully. I think failure to disclose SHOULD be prosecutable, because ultimately sex between two consenting people should be an informed consent (no pun intended). Might make people think twice about their own and others' sexual health a bit more than the Government's crappy track record of information campaigns.

Todays modern culture is very much about shifting the blame, about not taking personal responsibility for your your choices and actions.

Own your choices, own your sexual health, be smart.

*climbs off soap box*

Kali x

It's pronounced 'Car-Lee' *G*
'I heard she's a bit of a thug' Mister Bear
A giggling, sadist who loves tormenting boys into pleasure-pain.

I was under the impression that this had already been in the courts (not this specific case obviously) and that knowingly infecting someone with Hiv is seen as murder/conspiracy to murder?

Though this probably belongs in the weblogs as I can't see it as being anything to do with bdsm...

Edinburgh Fringe Munch 15/08/10
I have a fetish for Sex

The charge in the UK can range from GBH with intent (basically same as attempted murder) through to Actual Bodily Harm. So it is considered a very serious thing to do. I think rightly so.

It's in the water baby, it's in the pills that pick you up It's in the water baby, it's in the special way we fuck It's in the water baby, it's in your family tree It's in the water baby, it's between you and me - B.Molko

I think it is your responsibility to inform your partner as you are playing Russian roulette with someone else's life.

I think in bdsm terms it I'd relevent to place it on the boards it's a reminder to think of those who you are having a relationship with or about to.

Why bother ?

If you have the knowledge then it's your responsibility to pass that knowledge on and allow your partner to make up their own mind based on that.

It's also wiser to accept that it's possible that knowledge might not be passed on so screening for both beforehand is possibly the wisest option for long term and protection for more casual encounters.

Giving pain is a serious business.

In my more vanilla moods, I met up with a local lad. I will make a conscious decision whether to have safe sex or not based on gut feeling as to the honesty or otherwise of the other person.

During foreplay, I asked a couple of times what his HIV status was. He stated, negative, "and I get tested regularly". Similarly, I was negative to the best of my knowledge as I get tested regularly too, every 3 - 4 months. We agreed on unsafe sex and had great fun for a dozen sessions or so enjoying anal penetration - giving and taking.

During this period I met up with another lad, one I know is HIV+ and we were chatting about fun and games. I mentioned the new lad in my life and was told that he knew him too as he was HIV positive too - he had known he was HIV positive for over a year.

I had asked the question, a vital question and was lied to and, as a result, my life was put in danger. I went to the clinic for a test and came back, somehow, negative within 24 hours. I then has a wait of three months to be totally clear and abstained in this period. When I got the all clear from the final test, I broke down and cried. It wrecked my self confidence, it is difficult to describe the feelings of fear and anger in me even as I write this.

Should someone who is HIV+, and knows that they are HIV+, be prosecuted for not sharing that knowledge - no. Should they be prosecuted for having unprotected sex without telling the other person then yes. I have no doubt that the lie that I was told was a dangerous assault.

I don't know if this helps.

Gary

Edited 16 Aug 10, 2:07 PM by preyforyou1954

(my emboldening)

Not exactly informed consent though is it if one party witholds that vital bit of information regarding HIV status.

But ultimately we're all responsible for our own sexual health safety. We make our own choices. My partner tells me he is tested and clean. I've taken his word for it, I've haven't asked for proof.

"I saw that my witticism was unperceived and quietly replaced it in the treasury of my mind." — Flann O'Brien

I have heard cases go to court because of this very thing.

If a person goes to a club and has needle play, my view is the same. You tell the person you play with!!

It's the person with HIV that is responsible for informing partners.

If anyone is in doubt and what to keep STDs etc abay, then use bloody protection!

Simples!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do". ( Confucius)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3191312.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8...

Why don't cash machines have a Gamble button?
Why isn't there an age of consent for religion?