Current Research on Criminalization of HIV and Women: CHIWOS & WATCH

1. Current research on the criminalization of HIV and women: CHIWOS & WATCHValerie NicholsonPeer Research Associate (PRA) with CHIWOS; Principal Knowledge User with WATCH; Board Chair of Positive Living BC.Sophie PattersonPhD Candidate, Faculty of Health Sciences, SFU, Co-Investigator CHIWOS and WATCHon behalf of the CHIWOS and WATCH Research Teams Research Roundtable, Vancouver, BC. 23rd October 2015

2. We acknowledge that we are on the Unceded Territories of the Cedar Coast Salish, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh

3. Acknowledgments • Women living with HIV who participate in CHIWOS and WATCH • Peer Research Associates (PRAs) • National CHIWOS study team • National WATCH study team • Members of the national Steering Committee, three provincial Community Advisory Boards, and the CHIWOS Aboriginal Advisory Board – Positive Aboriginal Women (CAAB-PAW) • Community and clinic partners, AIDS Service Organizations, Community-based organizations • Our funders: CIHR, the CTN, and OHTN

4. Community

5. Community and the Criminalization of HIV non-disclosure. Cone of silence. Criminalization affects perceptions of safety, trust and confidentiality.

6. Promoting Trust in the Community PLBC has procedures in place to protect members’ confidential information CHIWOS has established trust with the HIV community HIV criminalization identified as a priority concern among participants

7. Community-driven research

8. Community – Academic Partnerships Co-developed questions for the CHIWOS 18-month follow-up survey (Wave 2 survey) Question selection was community-driven and evidence-based Pertinent information about HIV disclosure and the law provided to participants

9. Knowledge sharing

10. 1,427 • A multi-site, community-based, cohort study • Enrolled 1,427 women living with HIV from BC, ON & QC • Study goals: To assess barriers and facilitators to use of women-centred HIV care, and the impact on sexual, reproductive, mental and women’s health outcomes • Methods: PRA-administered web-based survey at baseline with 18 month follow-up (Wave 2 data collection currently underway)

11. Preliminaryfindings: • 238women have completed Wave 2 • 79%aware of 2012 Supreme Court Ruling on HIV non-disclosure • 45% self-reported anunderstanding of the case law that was consistent with the definition provided.

12. Preliminary findings: • Sources of information accessed on HIV and the law among women reporting awareness of the law (n=180): • 47% reported that no healthcare providers had talked to them about HIV disclosure and the law.

13. Preliminary findings: • 32% knew someone who had been charged/ threatened with a charge. • 50% participants believed that HIV disclosure laws are harmful to women living with HIV.

14. Qualitative research

15. WATCH • Will explore how the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure affects the lives of women living with HIV across Canada. • Uses community-based, arts-based research methods. • Body mapping with WLWH in BC, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Women And The Criminalization of HIV

16. Body Mapping

17. Any Questions? CHIWOS COMMUNITY WATCH TRUST