Abstract
Australia is an apt landscape upon which to measure the success of mandatory testing of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among sex workers. Mandatory testing is implemented in some Australian jurisdictions and not others, allowing for a comprehensive comparison of the outcomes. It is apparent that mandatory testing of HIV and STIs among sex workers in Australia has proven to be a barrier to otherwise successful HIV and STI peer education, prevention and free and anonymous testing and treatment. The outcomes of mandatory testing are counterproductive to reducing HIV and STI rates, do not reach the intended target group, are costly and inefficient, and mandatory testing has proven to be a very difficult policy to repeal once in place. Scarlet Alliance, the Australian Sex Workers Association, as well as numerous academics and policy leaders in Australia recommend against mandatory testing of HIV and STIs among sex workers.
Highlights
Sex workers in Australia are world-renowned for having consistently low rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV
Even though mandatory testing has not been a feature of successful prevention strategies in Australia, it is still entertained as a method of “controlling HIV and STIs amongst sex workers” in Australia and across Asia and the Pacific region, often to allay community fears around public health
Mandatory testing fails to acknowledge that Australian sex workers already practice safe sex as a fundamental occupational health and safety practice
Summary
Sex workers in Australia are world-renowned for having consistently low rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV. A Barrier to HIV and STI Prevention workers have lower rates of STIs than the general community This evidence is contrary to the public perception and stereotype that forms the basis of mandatory testing rationales. Even though mandatory testing has not been a feature of successful prevention strategies in Australia, it is still entertained as a method of “controlling HIV and STIs amongst sex workers” in Australia and across Asia and the Pacific region, often to allay community fears around public health. This suggests the implementation of mandatory testing is motivated by perception, rather than evidence or the best interests of sex worker health and safety
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