Leper A Misused Word—trust Board (Press, 25 July 1988)

The Christchurch-based Leprosy Trust Board has raised concerns about the misuse of the term "leper," pointing out that it undermines efforts to combat leprosy in the South Pacific. Derek Douglas, the board's secretary, highlighted that the term has often been used inaccurately to describe individuals who are outcasts. Recent instances of this misuse include comments from the AIDs Foundation and a member of Parliament, who respectively suggested that a prisoner with HIV was being treated "like a leper" and referred to another individual as a "political leper." Douglas argued that if individuals wish to convey the idea of being an outcast, they should use that term directly or consult a thesaurus for alternative options. He emphasised that these mischaracterisations contribute to a harmful perception of those affected by leprosy. The Leprosy Trust Board advocates for a more compassionate understanding of leprosy, stating that "leper" should not be equated with being untouchable or ostracised. According to Douglas, the board believes that individuals suffering from leprosy require support rather than social rejection. Furthermore, Douglas noted that even the Oxford English Dictionary perpetuates this misunderstanding by defining a leper as both a "person suffering from leprosy" and "a person shunned on moral grounds." The Leprosy Trust Board is calling for a shift in societal attitudes to foster a more informed and supportive approach towards those affected by the disease.

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