Responding to HIV

We can all do something to prevent the spread of HIV and help combat the ignorance, stigma and prejudice which mean that many people with HIV live in constant fear of discrimination and rejection.

Here are just a few ways you can make a real difference:

You can avoid becoming an HIV statistic yourself by making a decision to keep yourself safe from HIV. This may mean choosing to delay having sex until you are in a long-term faithful relationship; if you are sexually active, always using a condom when you have sex; and not sharing injecting equipment, if you use drugs.
Get informed about the issues. Just knowing the facts about HIV/AIDS and sharing them with your friends and family will help to combat prejudice; and taking the initiative to share the information you have will motivate others to find out more about HIV for themselves and make the right choices.
Wear a red ribbon and encourage friends and family to do the same. It’s a talking point, and an easy and visible way to open conversations about HIV and highlight HIV issues all year round.
If you want to do more, you could get involved by helping to raise money, volunteering or getting involved in peer education. In Jersey, ACET is the local HIV/AIDS charity and we are always grateful to people who support us by helping to raise much-needed funds for our care and education work in Jersey.
If you have ideas of your own, or you would like to know more, we are always interested to hear from you.

Last updated June 2011