Local AIDS charity AIDS Care Education and Training (ACET) Jersey has called for an anti-discrimination law to be enacted in Jersey to protect people living with HIV and their families from the effects of stigma and prejudice.

ACET Jersey’s annual review also urges the health profession to push voluntary testing for HIV further up the agenda, with a publically funded awareness campaign to encourage Islanders to take the simple test to ensure they do not have the virus, and to allow those who do not know they are infected to access life-saving treatment as soon as possible.

To ensure that ACET Jersey is meeting the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by the condition, the charity is about to launch a Needs Assessment Survey. All Islanders will be invited to participate in the anonymous survey, which ACET Jersey’s recently appointed HIV Care Coordinator Alison Le Riche will implement.

Over the past year ACET Jersey has also reached hundreds of Islanders through its ‘HIV in Jersey: It is real, it is here – take responsibility’ campaign. HIV Educator Sarah Gray has conducted numerous sessions with young people in local schools and youth groups, as well as discussing the issue with youngsters on the streets in St. Helier.

Rosemary Ruddy, Executive Director of ACET Jersey, commented:

“The past year has been very successful for ACET Jersey, despite financial difficulties following the withdrawal of vital States funding one year ago. Concentrating on our two primary objectives, care and education, we have made significant progress in reaching Islanders affected by HIV and AIDS and raising awareness of the fact that HIV is a potential threat to local people. We hope this will go some way to changing people’s attitudes and preconceptions when it comes to HIV and AIDS.

“With regard to stigma and discrimination, the phenomenon is worsened here in the Island because people living with HIV still do not have the legal protection from discrimination, which is provided in the UK by the Disability Discrimination Act.

“It is well documented that too many people in the UK with HIV are diagnosed too late, which is why it is imperative that people take responsibility for themselves and ensure they know all the facts. ACET Jersey will continue to work hard to ensure Islanders are well-informed about HIV and that those living with HIV have access to the best possible confidential support and health care.”