A supportive environment is crucial for successful HIV prevention work. That is, an environment free from stigma and discrimination which encourages positive attitudes towards members of key population groups and women and girls who experience Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The violation of human rights and outright discrimination against key population groups have negatively impacted the HIV response across the Caribbean. Therefore, addressing the attitudes of Law Enforcement and other Social Protection Service Providers across the region is particularly important, as discrimination against vulnerable groups from these sectors still prevails and affects security and access to health services for members of key population groups. To respond to this challenge, CVC recently hosted a sensitization session with Law Enforcement and other Social Protection Service Providers in Kingston, Jamaica.
One major aim of the session was to build the capacity of participants to understand the relationship between human rights violation and HIV/AIDS, with a focus on populations especially vulnerable to HIV. These population include sex workers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) people, people living with HIV (PLHIV) and women and girls who experience GBV.
The session was well received. Constable Shana-kay Vassell from the St. Andrew South Police Division said it was very informative. “The level of exposure that I received today I will definitely be using it in my day to day policing activities,” she said.
Constable Craig Buddan who is also from the St. Andrew South Police Division agreed. “The training was very useful for me and my teammates. Everyone participated, sharing their own views. I will definitely recommend this training because everyone at times need reminders. We as police officers have to deal with people on a daily basis and we come in contact with people of different culture, different race and different sexual orientation and we have to know how to deal with them and not make people feel uncomfortable,” he said.
Meanwhile CVC Technical Officer Marlon Thompson who coordinated the session pointed out that the training is aligned with CVC’s strategic plan as the organisation is a key advocate across the Caribbean for the upholding of human rights for key population groups.
