Today is World Aids Day

Today, 1 December 2008, is the 20th anniversary of the first World Aids Day, declared by the World Health Organisation in an attempt to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. It is a timely reminder that in much of the Third World, such as sub-Saharan Africa, HIV infections are mainly heterosexual. It is also a reminder that… Read More »Custom Single Post Header

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Today is World Aids Day

Today, 1 December 2008, is the 20th anniversary of the first World Aids Day, declared by the World Health Organisation in an attempt to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

It is a timely reminder that in much of the Third World, such as sub-Saharan Africa, HIV infections are mainly heterosexual.

It is also a reminder that marriages tend to take a dive when one spouse discovers that he/she is infected with a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or herpes, or the nightmare option HIV; knowing that he/she didn’t have it when they got together and that he/she had been faithful throughout the marriage.

Those who have picked up a free dose of herpes (for example) from their spouses are less than forgiving than others for their spouses straying. Not only have they been infected (and often not been aware of how long of the infection), as well as realising that their spouse was unfaithful, they realise that they have the infection forever, and the infection greatly limits the chances of re-partnering. The inability to re-partner is seen as in itself being a barrier to being able to move on after the end of the relationship.

Relations between the partners tend to get worse, too, when the likely guilty party suggests to the other that may be the other was the one to spread the infection.

Thought also needs to be given to the consequences of being sued by the disgruntled spouse for spreading an STI with such potentially devastating results.

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Forced Marriage

On November 1st 2023, Accredited Family Law Specialist and Page Provan Director Stephen Page presented a paper at the Brisbane Zonta Club about forced marriage. I acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal peoples, on whose lands we meet today, their elders, past, present and emerging. Ruqia Hidari was aged 21 and living in Victoria, when, according to police,… Read More »Forced Marriage

ACT Government Surrogacy Bill

The ACT Government has today introduced a bill to amend the ACT’s surrogacy laws. The proposed changes are more incremental than fundamental. They include allowing a single person to undertake surrogacy, for the surrogate to be single if needed, a requirement for legal advice and counselling beforehand, a written agreement being required, that traditional surrogacy is… Read More »ACT Government Surrogacy Bill

Planning to resolve: ADR in ART

ADR can help resolve disputes in ART cases. ADR is not limited to mediation and arbitration. Other types of informal dispute resolution can resolve disputes. When assisted reproductive treatment cases go off the rails, they can have the next level of bitterness and volatility. There can be a keen sense of betrayal when things don’t… Read More »Planning to resolve: ADR in ART