Victoria’s Victorian HIV Law – The Repeals of Section 19A

Victoria is the only State in Australia to have a specific law criminalising the transference of HIV. Section 19A of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) establishes the criminal offence of ‘intentionally causing a very serious disease’ – with ‘very serious disease’ defined exclusively to mean HIV infection. The offence carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years imprisonment – equivalent to rape or armed robbery.

Living Positive Victoria – Repeal 19A
Victoian AIDS Council

Speakers:

• Heath Paynter - Senior Policy Analyst for Victorian AIDS Council
• Paul Kidd - Chair of the HIV Legal Working Group