German pop star Nadja Benaissa, on trial for reckless transmission of HIV to a former partner, has been given a two year suspended sentence.

Lisa Power, Policy Director at Terrence Higgins Trust, responds: “It's vital that we stop the onward transmission of HIV, but we don't believe that prosecutions like this help. We support prosecutions where someone has intentionally passed on the virus, but that clearly wasn't the case here.  Nadja was a vulnerable 16-year-old when she was diagnosed and had difficulty managing her sex life.  Over 200,000 young people in the UK caught an STI last year, and one in ten was re-infected within the year, so unfortunately reckless sexual behaviour is not uncommon.  For an unlucky few, a moment's recklessness will leave them with an incurable, serious infection. If you're going to have sex, the best way to ensure your health is to wear a condom.

“People with HIV should - and the vast majority, do - make every effort to avoid passing the virus on.  But some people struggle with disclosure for a number of reasons, and they need support to manage safer sex.  We know that these cases make it harder for some people to come forward and ask for help. We urge everyone having difficulty managing safer sex - whether they think they've got HIV or not - to call THT Direct and find out how to get support to change their behaviour.

“We shouldn't forget that in the UK, one in four people with HIV don't know they have it, so anyone having sex with a new partner should take responsibility for their own sexual health and insist on condoms. Not only may someone feel unable to tell you they have HIV, they may not know themselves."

Ends

Notes to editors

1. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups.  We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, visit www.tht.org.uk