Illawarra & Shoalhaven Sexual Health & Blood Borne Infections Directory
Illawarra & Shoalhaven Sexual Health & Blood Borne Infections Directory Intention of the directory: What is sexual health? According to the World Health Organisation sexual health is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity, but rather, sexual health includes a holistic state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. As such, sexual health requires a respectful approach to sexuality and relationships, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. Who is HARP? The HARP Health promotion team promote prevention, early intervention, treatment and management of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmitted Infections. The HIV and Related Programmes Unit (HARP) activity is guided by National, State and Local Health District strategies that aims to improve sexual health and reduce the harm associated with Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs), HIV and Hepatitis C. The HARP team partner with community organisations who engage and represent people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), young people, Aboriginal people, sex workers, gay men, men who have sex with men (MSM), people living with HIV, people who inject drugs, and heterosexuals with a recent change in partner. HARP provide a range of free resources, work in collaboration with partner organisations on projects and develop awareness raising and capacity building training sessions. What is the intention of HARP? Our intention is to create a positive environment in which the community feel comfortable to approach the issues of HIV, STIs and Blood Borne Infections (BBIs) and acknowledge the realities of their impact both within our own communities and globally. We work towards creating an environment where HIV, STIs and BBIs can be discussed, accepted and ultimately prevented without fear, myth, stigma or discrimination.
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