Sydney Prostitutes Angry About A.i.d.s. Test Plans (Press, 26 August 1989)

On 26 August 1989, sex workers in New South Wales expressed strong opposition to a proposal from an A.I.D.S. advisory committee that would mandate compulsory A.I.D.S. testing for prostitutes. Julie Bates, a spokeswoman for the Sex Workers’ Association of New South Wales, highlighted that sex workers have been proactive over the past five years. They have regularly undergone voluntary testing, required clients to use condoms, and educated the approximately 30,000 individuals who visit them weekly about the risks of A.I.D.S. Bates noted that the rate of H.I.V. infection among prostitutes in Sydney is the lowest in the western world, and while the past year saw a stable rate among sex workers, A.I.D.S. transmission among heterosexuals surged by 50 per cent. The controversy intensified following a television interview with a Sydney prostitute, named Charlene, who revealed her H.I.V. status while still working. Bates condemned the ensuing public discourse that blamed prostitutes for A.I.D.S. prevalence, arguing it detracted from awareness campaigns and reinforced societal prejudices. She suggested that compulsory testing would not effectively address the epidemic, as it provides a false sense of security. Bates argued that men often neglect their responsibility to use protection, relying on health certificates instead. Health Minister Peter Collins concurred with Bates in saying that blaming sex workers for the spread of A.I.D.S. oversimplifies the issue. He pointed out that irresponsible behaviour among promiscuous people who carry the virus contributes similarly to the problem. The case of Charlene has prompted considerations within the A.I.D.S. committee to revise the Public Health Act for better handling of such situations. Options being deliberated include mandatory testing for high-risk groups, enforced treatment for H.I.V. carriers, and creating secure medical facilities for non-compliant cases. Bates vehemently opposed these potential measures, advocating instead for intensified sexual health education, enforcing condom use in brothels, and ensuring government support for housing and drug rehabilitation initiatives. She underscored that a significant portion of the responsibility for A.I.D.S. prevention falls on men and that there needs to be a shift in focus to address their reluctance to use condoms and their avoidance of responsibility regarding sexual health. By directing more attention to heterosexual men in the community, Bates believes that the stigma surrounding sex workers can be alleviated and public health can be improved.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand