Police accused of stigmatising people with HIV

Avon and Somerset police stand accused of spreading misinformation and stigmatising people with HIV and hepatitis C in their justification for the use of spit hoods.

Fear of transmission of blood-borne viruses was cited by the force as one of the main reasons behind the decision to introduce the guards, sparking a backlash from charities and campaigners, who argue this is an alarmist and damaging line to take.

“We are deeply concerned that a trusted source such as Avon and Somerset Police are publicly using such damaging falsehoods, and about the negative affect that this will have on people living with HIV,” said Easton-based HIV charity Brigstowe following the announcement.

“Whilst Brigstowe understands that being spat at can be distressing and supports the protection of police officers working on frontlines, it must be understood that HIV and hepatitis C cannot be transmitted through spitting.

“Suggestions to the contrary are not only incorrect, but are hugely damaging as they reinforce existing stigma and misconceptions that surround both viruses.

“Such falsehoods also cause unnecessary alarm to police staff. While the debate around the use of spit hoods is an important one for the police, policy-makers and the public, hepatitis C and HIV are of no relevance to it and should not be used as justification for their use.”

Assistant chief constable Stephen Cullen

Announcing the decision to introduce mesh spit hoods, which go over the entire head, assistant chief constable Stephen Cullen said: “Each day, we face being spat at, putting us at risk of HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis and the degrading assault can have a lasting psychological impact.”

But Brigstowe says “the largest challenges people living with HIV face are stigma, discrimination and misinformation about their condition which can often leave someone living with HIV feeling isolated and at worst can result in hate crime and violence.”

Brigstowe’s statement is endorsed by Berkeley Wilde, the founder of The Diversity Trust, SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) and the National AIDS Trust.

The Hepatitis C Trust also expressed concerns about the damaging misinformation cited as supposed justification for the use of spit hoods.

https://twitter.com/ACTUPbristol/status/932290026616098816

Michael* (not his real name), a member of Act Up Bristol, said: “I have been living with HIV for three years. The police are distributing incorrect information about the way HIV is spread – it cannot be passed on in saliva. They are designated protectors and so they have a duty to spread factually correct information about the people they are representing.

“In spreading this incorrect information, they are exacerbating the stigma in society – it’s outdated, it’s unnecessary and it’s reinforcing stereotypes.

“This is national HIV testing awareness week where organisations across the country and masses of volunteers are going to encourage people to get testing and this is happening at a time when a positive message should be spread.”

Michael went on to say that he would like the police to issue a statement correcting the misinformation, but also wants to know what the force is doing to better educate officers around the issues of HIV.

In response to the backlash, Avon and Somerset police have issued a statement saying: “From January 2018 we will introduce spit guards to protect officers who work in difficult and challenging circumstances to keep local people safe

“The officer stories we highlighted are real examples of the degrading incidents our officers face on a daily basis, when detainees deliberately spit blood with saliva at them.

“The spit guard minimises the risks of communicable diseases (blood borne viruses (BBV)) and injuries associated with a suspect spitting as well as biting. The most prevalent BBVs are HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

“Medically, the risk of transfer of BBV through spitting blood or biting is low, but the impact of infection is high and the psychological impact on officers significantly higher.”

Brigstowe is calling on the force to make a public apology for using incorrect information to justify the use of spit guards and update publicity surrounding the introduction of spit guards.

The charity has also invited police to meet with the HIV positive community to better understand the needs of people living with HIV and why misinformation like this can be so damaging.

Read more: Avon and Somerset police will introduce spit hoods