Victorian Police are investigating a number of people they suspect may be deliberately spreading HIV, writes Doug Pollard in the Melbourne Star this morning. Police have moved to protect the public following new discoveries while executing a warrant to obtain Department of Human Services files relating to the case of Michael Neal, the Melbourne man charged with deliberately spreading HIV. Senior police sources have told newspaper of the discoveries made when officers were inadvertently given access to files on other individuals who either were being or had been monitored and managed by the DHS. The Department has considerable powers to manage the behaviour of people who they consider to be a public health risk - in this case, HIV-positive men who have difficulty practising safe sex. Many of them also have drug and/or alcohol problems. When police examined the files, 17 cases gave them cause for serious concern. They took these documents along with the Michael Neal file. A DHS spokesperson confirmed that police took a number of confidential files from the department during the search. "The confidential files related to investigation and monitoring of individuals whose circumstances or behaviour had the potential to present a risk to public health," said Bram Alexander. "None of these files is presently active, and the Department is satisfied that each matter was appropriately dealt with under the Health Act. None of these cases is considered to be a public health risk." After studying the files police still felt that 11 of the cases required police investigation. Senior officers told Melbourne Star they were worried that the situation might require the establishment of a large and expensive taskforce. The DHS continues to insist that the cases in question are either no longer active, or are being handled appropriately. However, some DHS employees have privately expressed frustration at what they see as the department's complacency and inaction. The acting head of the Sex Crimes Squad Simon Clements confirmed that police are actively investigating four or five cases which they describe as being 'of serious concern', possibly involving underage victims, sex workers and other vulnerable individuals. A senior officer told Melbourne Star he felt that their duty of care to the public compelled them to act without further delay. The DHS declined further comment, citing the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals involved, and because of other matters currently before the courts. However in press reports last week, the DHS admitted that up to five HIV-positive men are currently subject to control orders that require them to abstain from unprotected sex and associating with certain partners. Ref: Melbourne Star (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 26th October 2006 - 12:00pm